George  IV (Islington  Flowers 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

established  by  the 

FAMILY  OF 

COLONEL  FLOWERS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/maineatgettysbur01main 


NBTIONHL  CEMETERY  MONUMENT — GETTYSBURG, 


Maine  at  Gettysburg 


report 

OF 

MAINE  COMMISSIONERS 

PREPARED  BY 

THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 


Ad  majorem  patrios  gloriam 


1898 


II 


Copyrighted  1898 

for  and  in  behalf  of  the  State  of  Maine,  by  Charles  Hamlin,  Greenlief  T.  Stevens  and 
George  W.  Verrill,  of  the  Maine  Gettysburg  Commissioners'  Executive 
Committee  and  sub-committees  on  editing,  illustrating, 
printing  and  binding. 


The  Lakeside  Press 
Engravers,  Printers  and  Binders 
Portland,  Maine 


BOUND  BY  THE  NATIONAL  LIBRARY  BINDERY  CO.  OF  GA. 


hi 


g'ul-BM 


MAINE  GETTYSBURG  COMMISSION 


The  Governor  of  Maine,  ex  officio. 

Charles  Hamlin,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  A.  A.  G.  Vols.  2d  Div.  3d  Corps. 
Moses  B.  Lakeman,  Colonel  3d  Regt. 

Elijah  Walker,  Colonel  4th  Regt. 

Clark  S.  Edwards,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  Colonel  5th  Regt. 
fBenjamin  F.  Harris,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  Lt.-Col.  6th  Regt. 

Alexander  B.  Sumner,  Lieut. -Colonel  6th  Regt. 
fSelden  Connor,  Brig.-Gen.,  Lt.-Col.  7th  Regt. 

Thomas  W.  Hyde,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  Lt.-Col.  7th  Regt. 

John  D.  Beardsley,  Lt.-Col.  U.  S.  C.  T.,  Capt.  10th  Battn. 

Charles  W.  Tilden,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  Col.  16th  Regt. 

^Charles  B.  Merrill,  Lieut. -Colonel  17th  Regt. 

George  W.  Verrill,  Captain  17th  Regt. 

*Francis  E.  Heath,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  Col.  19th  Regt. 

Charles  E.  Nash,  Captain  19th  Regt. 

Joshua  L.  Chamberlain,  Bvt.  Maj.-Gen.,  Col.  20th  Regt. 

*Jacob  McClure,  Lt.-Col.  Me.  S.  S.,  Capt.  Co.  D 2d  U.  S.  S.  S. 

JCharles  H.  Smith,  Bvt.  Major.-Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  Col.  1st  Cav. 

Sidney  W.  Thaxter,  Major  1st  Cav.  Regt. 

*James  A.  Hall,  Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.,  Captain  2d  Batty. 

Greenlief  T.  Stevens,  Bvt.  Major,  Captain  5th  Batty. 

Edwin  B.  Dow,  Bvt.  Major,  Captain  6th  Batty. 

EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 

Charles  Hamlin  chairman,  Greenlief  T.  Stevens  secretary,  Charles  H. 
Smithf,  Francis  E.  Heath*,  Charles  B.  Merrill*  Sidney  W.  Thaxter,  George 
W.  Verrill,  Charles  E.  Nash. 


*Deceased. 


tResigned. 


V 


PREFACE 


The  Executive  Committee  of  the  Maine  Gettysburg  Commission 
were  charged,  among  other  duties,  with  preparing  and  publishing  a 
report  of  the  Commission  and  its  work. 

This  volume  constitutes  the  report  so  prepared  by  the  Committee. 
It  will  be  found  to  contain  principally  an  account  of  the  monuments 
erected  by  the  State  of  Maine  on  the  Gettysburg  battlefield  “ to 
commemorate  and  perpetuate  the  conspicuous  valor  and  heroism 
of  Maine  soldiers  on  that  decisive  battlefield  of  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  ” ; a full  description  of  each  monument,  accompanied  with 
half-tone  pictures ; the  exercises  attending  their  dedication ; a 
statement  of  the  part  taken  by  each  of  the  fifteen  regiments, 
battalions,  batteries,  or  other  commands  of  Maine  troops,  illustrated 
with  maps  and  diagrams  ; a list  of  the  participants  in  each  command, 
with  the  casualties  in  the  same  ; a list  of  Maine  Generals,  and  staff 
and  other  officers  additional  to  Maine  organizations  ; a historical 
sketch  of  each  command ; and  a brief  summary  of  the  work  of  the 
Committee. 

The  different  features  of  the  report,  taken  as  a wrhole,  are 
dissimilar  to  those  issued  by  other  States ; but  the  contributions 
thus  made  to  history  will  serve  to  add  to  its  value.  To  procure  all 
the  materials  of  the  report  has  required  more  time  and  labor  than 
was  originally  contemplated.  The  time  and  labor  thus  spent  have, 
however,  aided  in  setting  forth  the  facts  more  fully,  accurately  and 
reliably,  and  in  a manner  justly  due  to  the  memory  of  those  who  so 
freely  gave  their  lives  to  their  country  on  this  eventful  field. 

Charles  Hamlin, 
Greenlief  T.  Stevens, 
Sidney  W.  Thaxter, 
George  W.  Yerrill, 
Charles  E.  Nash. 


YII 


CONTENTS 

Preface  V. 

Part  I. 

The  Battle  of  Gettysburg,  a sketch  by  Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Charles  Hamlin  i 
Four  maps  of  the  battlefield  in  colors,  drawn  by  G.  W.  Verrill. 

[Concerning  each  of  the  following  Maine  organizations  are  given  the 
picture,  description  and  location  of  its  monument  (and  markers,  if  any), 
its  part  in  the  battle,  nominal  lists  of  participants  and  of  casualties,  a 
general  historical  sketch,  and  a roster  of  its  officers. — See  under  Gettys- 
burg in  Index.] 

Hall’s  Second  Maine  Battery  14 

Historical  Sketch,  compiled  by  Charles  Hamlin . 

Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment  37 

Diagram  showing  positions,  by  C.  K.  Tilden,— Incidents  of  the  battle,  by  Major  A. 
R.  Small,— Historical  Sketch,  by  Lieut.  Francis  Wiggin. 

Stevens’  Fifth  Maine  Battery  80 

At  Gettysburg,  by  Brevet  Major  G.  T.  Stevens  and  Brevet  Captain  E.  N.  Whittier, 
—Historical  Sketch,  by  Brevet  Major  Greenlief  T.  Stevens. 

Third  Maine  Regiment  126 

Itinerary,  by  Col.  Moses  B.  Lakeman,— Historical  Sketch,  compiled  by  the  Editors. 

Fourth  Maine  Regiment  158 

Dedication  of  Monument  and  Historical  Address,  by  Col.  Elijah  Walker. 

Seventeenth  Maine  Regiment  190 

Diagrams  showing  positions,  by  G.  W.  Verrill,— Dedication  of  Monument : Prayer 
by  Rev.  C.  G.  Holyoke,  Address  by  Brevet  Lt.-Col.  Edward  Moore,  Poem  by  G.  W. 
Verrill,  Oration  by  Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  William  Hobson,— Historical  Sketch  by 
Captain  George  W.  Verrill. 

Twentieth  Maine  Regiment  249 

Diagram  showing  positions,  by  G.  W.  Verrill,— At  Gettysburg,  excerpts  from 
Address  of  Lieut.  S.  L.  Miller  and  from  field  notes  by  Brevet  Maj.-Gen.  J.  L. 
Chamberlain,  — Historical  Sketch,  by  an  Officer  of  the  Regiment, — The  Last 
Act,  by  Editors,  from  information  furnished  by  Gen.  Chamberlain  and  Gen.  Spear. 


Nineteenth  Maine  Regiment  289 

Historical  Sketch,  by  Officers  of  the  Regiment  (Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Francis  E. 
Heath,  Major  David  E.  Parsons  and  Lt.-Col.  Joseph  W.  Spaulding). 

Dow’s  Sixth  Maine  Battery  325 

Historical  Sketch,  compiled  by  Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Charles  Hamlin. 

Company  D,  Second  U.  S.  Sharpshooters  348 

Historical  Sketch,  by  the  Editors. 

Fifth  Maine  Regiment  364 

Dedication  of  Monument  and  Historical  Address,  by  Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Clark  S 
Edwards,— Poem  by  Helen  S.  Packard. 

Sixth  Maine  Regiment  395 


At  Gettysburg,  letter  from  Brevet  Lt.-Col.  Charles  A.  Clark,— Historical  Sketch, 
compiled  by  Charles  Hamlin. 


VIII 


Seventh  Maine  Regiment  430 

Historical  Sketch,  by  Brig.-Gen.  Selden  Connor. 

First  Maine  Cavalry  469 

Dedication  of  Monument:  Address  by  Brevet  Maj.-Gen.  C.  H.  Smith,  Poem  by 
Edward  P.  Tobie,— Historical  Sketch,  by  Lieut.  Edward  P.  Tobie. 

Tenth  Maine  Battalion  517 

At  Gettysburg,  and  Historical  Sketch  of  i-l0-29th  Regt.  by  Major  John  M.  Gould. 
High  Water  Mark  Monument  537 

Additional  Participating  Officers,  compiled  by  the  Editors  540 

Gettysburg  Summaries,  Maine  Participants  and  Casualties  542 

Part  II. 

Dedication  of  Monuments  545 


Order  of  the  Day  and  exercises, — Gen.  Chamberlain’s  Address, — Prayer 
by  Rev.  Theo.  Gerrish, — Address  by  Gen.  Charles  Hamlin, — Address 
by  Hon.  Edwin  C.  Burleigh,  Governor  of  Maine, — Address  by  Major 
John  M.  Krauth  for  the  Battlefield  Memorial  Association, — Oration  by 
Gen.  Selden  Connor, — Prayer  and  Benediction  by  Rev.  G.  R.  Palmer. 
Soldiers  National  Cemetery  and  Monument,  by  G.  W.  Verrill  582 

Maine  Gettysburg  Commission  and  its  Work,  by  Charles  Hamlin, 

chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  586 

Index  597 


PART  I 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUEG. 

BY  BREVET  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  CHARLES  IIAMLIX, 

LATE  ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

SECOND  DIVISION  THIRD  ARMY  CORPS,  ARMY  OF  POTOMAC. 


A BRIEF  sketch  of  this  battle  will  enable  the  reader  to  under- 
stand the  operations  of  both  Union  and  Confederate 
troops  given  in  detail,  as  they  appear  in  the  various 
accounts  of  the  battle,  hereafter  in  this  volume.  Such  a sketch, 
indeed,  is  necessary  for  the  general  reader  who  desires  a con- 
nected account,  because  the  main  purpose  of  this  volume  is  to 
give  a particular  account  of  the  various  regiments  and  batteries 
of  the  State  of  Maine,  rather  than  a single  and  connected  view. 

An  invasion  of  the  North  was  determined  upon  by  the  Con- 
federate authorities  soon  after  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  in 
May,  1863.  It  seems  evident  now  that  the  causes  which  led 
to  this  invasion  were,  that  the  term  of  many  of  the  Union  sol- 
diers was  expiring ; the  late  defeat  at  Chancellorsville ; and 
the  hope  and  expectation  to  capture  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
and  Washington,  which  might  end  the  war  through  a recogni- 
tion of  the  Confederacy  by  foreign  governments,  followed  by 
their  intervention. 

On  the  second  of  June,  Lee  began  his  movement  north 
with  the  withdrawal  of  his  army  from  Fredericksburg.  On 
the  eighth,  Ewell  and  Longstreet  arrived  at  Culpeper,  to 
which  place  Stuart  had  already  advanced  his  cavalry.  General 
Hooker,  on  June  5th,  ordered  a reconnaissance  below  Freder- 
icksburg, suspecting  some  important  movement  by  General 
Lee.  On  the  eighth,  Pleasonton’s  cavalry  and  two  brigades 
of  infantry  were  ordered  across  the  Rappahannock.  On  the 
morning  of  the  ninth  these  forces  crossed  the  river  and  attacked 
Stuart’s  cavalry  at  Brandy  Station.  Here  occurred  the  first 


2 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


successful  light  by  our  cavalry  when  engaged  in  a large  body. 
The  First  Maine  Cavalry  under  Kilpatrick  was  engaged  in 
this  battle  in  desperate  conflict  and  in  which  it  bore  itself  with 
great  credit.  Tliis  struggle  at  Brandy  Station  ended  in  defeat- 
ing and  driving  the  Confederate  cavalry  from  the  field  ; but  on 
the  arrival  of  Ewell's  infantry  from  Culpeper,  Pleasonton 
withdrew  his  forces  and  recrossed  the  river.  By  the  capture 
of  /Stuart’s  headquarters  Lee’s  orders  were  found  that  showed 
his  movement  was  north  beyond  the  Union  lines. 

On  the  tenth,  Ewell’s  corps  advanced  beyond  the  Blue 
Ridge,  passed  north  through  Chester  Gap,  and  marched  rapidly 
up  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  Stuart’s  cavalry  was  directed  east 
of  the  Blue  Ridge,  to  guard  the  passes,  mask  Lee’s  movements, 
and  delay  the  advance  of  Hooker’s  army.  On  the  fourteenth, 
Ewell  attacked  General  Milroy  at  Winchester,  who  was 
hemmed  in  without  definite  information  of  the  movement  of 
Lee’s  army  up  the  valley.  Milroy  attempted  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  fifteenth  to  steal  his  way  out,  and  although 
discovered  by  the  Confederates,  succeeded  in  breaking  through 
and  retreated  in  haste,  with  heavy  losses  in  men  and  material. 

Hill  and  Longstreet  hurried  northward,  the  latter  covering 
the  mountain  gaps  in  his  movements.  On  the  sixteenth,  Jen- 
kins with  two  thousand  Confederate  cavalry  penetrated  into 
Pennsylvania  as  far  as  Chambersburg. 

June  13th,  Hooker  put  the  Union  army  in  motion  and 
kept  his  command  between  the  enemy  and  Washington. 
Pleasonton’s  cavalry  encountered  that  of  Stuart’s  on  the  sev- 
enteenth at  Aldie ; and  on  the  nineteenth  at  Middleburg  and 
on  the  twenty-first  at  Upperville.  On  each  of  these  fields  the 
First  Maine  Regiment  of  Cavalry  won  new  honors.  After  a 
severe  engagement  at  Upperville  the  Confederate  cavalry  fell 
back  through  Ashby’s  Gap,  and  Pleasonton  rejoined  the 
infantry.  Lee  now  seemed  convinced  that  Hooker  would  not 
attack  him  south  of  the  Potomac ; and  on  the  twenty-second 
he  ordered  Ewell  to  cross  the  river  into  Maryland,  where  he 
came  to  the  support  of  Jenkins , who  being  reinforced 
advanced  again  to  Chambersburg.  Here  Llodes’  and  Johnson’s 
divisions  joined  him  on  the  twenty-third.  Early's  division, 


lee’s  INVASION  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


3 


in  the  meantime,  moved  via  Gettysburg  to  York  with  instruc- 
tions to  destroy  the  railroads  and  secure  the  bridge  across  the 
Susquehanna,  after  which  he  moved  north  and  undertook  with 
Bodes  and  Johnson  to  take  possession  of  Harrisburg.  On  the 
twenty-third,  Lee  ordered  Hill  and  Longstreet  across  the  Poto- 
mac to  unite  at  Hagerstown,  and  follow  Ewell's  corps  up  the 
Cumberland  valley. 

When  Hooker  learned  that  Lee  was  concentrating  his  forces 
north  of  the  Potomac,  he  advanced  the  Union  army  on  a line 
parallel  with  that  of  the  enemy.  On  the  twenty-fifth  and 
twenty-sixth,  the  Union  army  having  crossed  the  Potomac, 
was  massed  between  Harper’s  Ferry  and  Frederick  City.  On 
the  twenty-sixth,  Gordon's  brigade  of  Early's  division  passed 
through  the  town  of  Gettysburg,  and  on  the  twenty-eighth 
Early's  division  reached  York  and  Wrightsville.  Gordon's 
brigade  was  prevented  from  crossing  the  Susquehanna  by  the 
destruction  of  the  bridge  at  Wrightsville.  On  the  twenty- 
eighth,  Gen.  George  G.  Meade  was  appointed  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Union  army,  to  succeed  Hooker,  who  had  asked, 
in  the  meantime,  to  be  relieved.  The  immediate  cause  of 
Hooker’s  resignation  arose  from  the  refusal  of  Halleck,  Gen- 
eral-in-chief, to  give  Hooker  the  control  of  ten  thousand  men 
under  French  at  Harper’s  Ferry.  Meade  at  once  ordered  the 
Union  forces  northward,  placed  his  left  wing,  consisting  of  the 
First,  Third,  and  Eleventh  corps,  under  Reynolds,  directing 
him  to  Emmitsburg,  and  advanced  his  right  wing  to  New 
Windsor.  At  this  time  the  cavalry  was  disposed  as  follows  : 
Buford  on  the  left,  Kilpatrick  in  front,  and  Gregg  on  the 
right.  Stuart  had  separated  himself  from  Lee's  infantry  in 
Virginia,  and  set  off  on  a raid  around  the  right  of  the  Union 
army  on  the  twenty-fourth.  He  crossed  the  Potomac  on  the 
twenty-seventh,  in  rear  of  Hooker,  intending  to  rejoin  Lee  by 
marching  through  Maryland.  On  the  thirtieth  he  encountered 
Kilpatrick’s  cavalry  at  Hanover,  where  a short  and  spirited 
struggle  ensued,  in  which  Stuart  was  forced  to  retreat  north- 
ward, at  the  same  time  abandoning  some  of  his  trains  contain- 
ing captured  property.  On  the  next  day,  July  1st,  he  reached 
Carlisle,  where  he  learned  that  Ewell  had  moved  south  towards 


4 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Gettysburg.  He  bombarded  Carlisle  with  shell,  burned  the 
government  barracks,  and  then  moved  south,  via  Mount  Holly 
Gap,  and  did  not  arrive  on  the  battlefield  until  the  afternoon 
of  July  2d,  having  been  separated  seven  days  from  General 
Lee.  The  absence  of  Stuart's  cavalry  proved  to  be  disadvan- 
tageous to  General  Lee,  who  did  not  know  until  the  evening  of 
the  twenty-eighth,  while  at  Chambersburg,  that  Hooker  had 
crossed  the  Potomac  into  Maryland.  Lee  still  believed  that 
Hooker  was  in  Virginia,  held  there  in  check  by  Stuart. 

Lee  at  once  began  to  concentrate  his  army,  sent  Ewell 
orders  to  retire  from  Carlisle  and  to  recall  his  troops  near  Har- 
risburg. Lodes'  and  Early's  divisions  were  ordered  to  join 
HilVs  corps  in  the  vicinity  of  Gettysburg,  while  Johnson's  divis- 
ion with  the  artillery  and  trains  approached  the  Chambersburg 
Pike  via  Shippensburg  and  Fayetteville.  Hill's  and  Ewell's 
corps,  on  the  thirtieth,  advanced  towards  Gettysburg.  Petti- 
grew's brigade,  on  the  same  day,  was  ordered  with  several 
wagons  to  Gettysburg  to  secure  clothing  and  shoes. 

POSITION  OF  THE  UNION  ARMY, 

ON  THE  EVENING  OF  JUNE  30,  1863,  TO  THE  SOUTH  AND  EAST, 

AND  DISTANT  FROM  GETTYSBURG. 

First  Corps,  Doubleday  (Second  and  Fifth  Maine  Batteries 
and  Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment  with  this  Corps),  Marsh  Creek, 
5 1-2  miles  south.  Second  Corps,  Hancock  (Nineteenth  Maine 
Regiment  with  this  Corps),  Uniontown,  20  miles  south.  Third 
Corps,  Sickles  (Third,  Fourth,  and  Seventeenth  Maine  Regi- 
ments with  this  Corps),  Bridgeport,  12  miles  south.  Fifth 
Corps,  Sykes  (Twentieth  Maine  Regiment  with  this  Corps), 
Union  Mills,  16  miles  southeast.  Sixth  Corps,  Sedgwick 
(Fifth,  Sixth,  and  Seventh  Maine  Regiments  with  this  Corps) , 
Manchester,  34  miles  southeast.  Eleventh  Corps,  Howard, 
Emmitsburg,  10  miles  south.  Twelfth  Corps,  Slocum  (Tenth 
Maine  Battalion  at  Corps  headquarters),  Littlestown,  10  miles 
southeast.  Buford’s  cavalry,  two  brigades,  Gamble’s  and 
Devin’s,  at  Gettysburg.  Merritt’s  (Regular)  Brigade,  Mechan- 
icstown,  18  miles  south.  Gregg’s  cavalry  (First  Maine 
Regiment  with  Gregg),  Westminster,  34  miles  southeast.  Kil- 
patrick’s cavalry,  Hanover,  14  miles  east. 


MOVING  TOWARDS  GETTYSBURG. 


5 


Dow’s  Sixth  Maine  Battery  was  with  the  Fourth  Brigade 
of  the  reserve  artillery,  at  Taneytown,  12  miles  south.  Co.  D, 
2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters  was  with  the  Third  Corps. 

General  Meade’s  orders  for  July  1st  were,  for  the  First  and 
Eleventh  corps  to  move  to  Gettysburg,  the  Third  to  Emmits- 
burg,  the  Second  to  Taneytown,  the  Fifth  to  Hanover,  and  the 
Twelfth  to  Two  Taverns  ; the  Sixth  was  left  at  Manchester. 

POSITION  OF  THE  CONFEDERATE  ARMY, 

ON  THE  EVENING  OF  JUNE  30,  1863,  NORTH  AND  WEST,  AND 
DISTANT  FROM  GETTYSBURG. 

First  Corps,  Long  street  s , at  Chambersburg,  25  miles 
northwest.  Second  Corps,  Ewell's:  divisions,  Early's,  near 
Heidlersburg,  12  miles  northeast ; Eocles',  Heidlersburg,  10 
miles  northeast ; Johnson's,  vicinity  of  Fayetteville,  21  miles 
northwest.  Third  Corps,  Hill's:  divisions,  Anderson's,  Fay- 
etteville, 18  miles  northwest ; Pender's,  near  Cashtown,  10 
miles  northwest ; Heth's,  at  Cashtown,  8 miles  northwest ; 
Pettigrew's  brigade,  at  Marsh  Creek,  3 1-2  miles  northwest ; 
Stuart's  cavalry,  near  Dover,  21  miles  northeast. 

General  Lee's  orders  to  Hill  and  Long  street,  for  July  1st, 
were,  for  Heth's  division  with  eight  batteries  to  occupy  Gettys- 
burg, Pender's  division  to  move  promptly  to  Heth's  support. 
Longstreet  was  to  follow  this  movement  with  McLaws’  and 
Hood's  divisions. 

Buford’s  cavalry  division,  on  the  left  of  the  Union  army, 
was  approaching  Gettysburg  June  30th,  on  the  Emmitsburg 
Road,  and  encountered  Pettigrew's  brigade  entering  the  town 
from  the  west.  Pettigrew  fell  back  towards  Cashtown  to  a 
position  on  Marsh  Run,  where  he  notified  Heth,  to  whose 
division  he  belonged,  that  Gettysburg  was  occupied  by  the 
Union  forces.  Buford’s  cavalry  passed  through  the  town  of 
Gettysburg  about  half-past  eleven  o’clock  in  the  forenoon. 
Halting  west  of  Seminary  ridge  he  went  into  camp,  with 
Gamble’s  brigade  south  of  the  railroad  to  cover  the  approaches 
from  Chambersburg  and  Hagerstown.  Devin’s  brigade  went 
to  the  north  of  the  railroad,  posting  his  videttes  on  all  the 
roads  north  and  northwest.  Buford  sent  information  to  Rey- 
nolds of  the  presence  of  the  enemy ; and  Reynolds,  who  was 


6 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


instructed  to  occupy  Gettysburg,  advanced  the  First  Corps 
from  Emmitsburg  to  Marsh  Creek,  about  five  and  one-half 
miles  from  Gettysburg.  Meade  moved  his  right  wing  forward 
to  Manchester.  On  the  night  of  the  thirtieth,  Buford  held  a 
conference  with  Reynolds  at  Marsh  Creek,  and  returned,  during 
the  night,  to  his  headquarters  in  Gettysburg  with  one  of  Rey- 
nolds’ staff,  who  was  to  report  to  his  chief  early  in  the  morning 
of  the  next  day. 

At  this  time,  Lee  appears  to  have  been  fearful  that  his 
communications  might  be  interrupted,  and  he  was  troubled  by 
the  naked  defenses  of  Richmond.  Lee,  therefore,  determined 
to  draw  back  and  make  a diversion  east  of  the  South  Mountain 
range  to  engage  Meade’s  attention.  Although  Lee’s  plan  of 
invasion  had  been  thwarted,  he  determined  to  defeat  Meade’s 
army.  On  the  other  hand,  Meade,  having  selected  the  general 
line  of  Pipe  Creek  for  his  defense,  had  thrown  his  left  wing, 
preceded  by  Buford’s  cavalry,  forward  to  Gettysburg  as  a 
mask.  Both  generals  aimed  to  secure  Gettysburg  for  the 
reason  that  it  controlled  the  roads  towards  the  Potomac.  Its 
occupation  by  the  Union  army  proved  to  lie  of  great  impor- 
tance when  we  consider  the  subsequent  events. 

FIRST  DAY. 

The  first  day’s  battle  was  fought  on  the  west  and  north  of 
Gettysburg.  It  began  with  Buford’s  cavalry  holding  back  the 
enemy’s  infantry  beyond  and  along  Willoughby  Run  until  the 
arrival  of  the  First  Corps,  followed  by  the  Eleventh  Corps. 
A severe  engagement,  especially  along  the  front  of  the  First 
Corps,  ensued,  in  which  Reynolds  lost  his  life  ; and  the  Union 
forces,  under  Howard,  were  driven  from  the  field  after  Eivell 
came  from  the  north.  Hall’s  Second  Maine  Battery  opened 
the  infantry  fight  as  soon  as  it  arrived  on  the  ground  and  was 
placed  in  position  north  of  the  Chambersburg  Pike.  The  prin- 
cipal fighting  by  the  Confederates  along  the  front  of  the  First 
Corps  was  by  two  divisions  of  Hill’s  corps,  who  did  not 
succeed  after  several  attacks  until  reinforced  by  Ewell.  It 
was  then  that  the  Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment  was  ordered  to 


FIRST  DAY  OF  BATTLE. 


7 


take  position  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  First  Corps,  at  the 
Mummasburg  Road,  and  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check  so  that 
the  remnant  of  the  division  might  fall  back  ; and  thus,  under 
imperative  orders  to  stay  there  at  all  hazards,  it  was  delivered 
to  the  enemy  by  relentless  capture. 

Stevens’  Fifth  Maine  Battery,  which  occupied  a position 
near  the  Lutheran  Seminary,  was  sharply  engaged  during  Hill’s 
final  assault,  and  aided  by  its  rapid  and  severe  fire  in  checking 
the  enemy.  The  two  corps  of  the  Union  army  fell  back 
through  the  town  of  Gettysburg,  with  heavy  loss,  but  were 
not  vigorously  pursued  by  the  enemy.  The  check  given  to 
the  enemy’s  advance  by  the  hard  and  desperate  fighting  of  the 
First  Corps  led  to  results  worth  all  the  sacrifice ; but  to  this 
day  full  credit  has  hardly  been  given  to  the  great  services 
rendered  by  that  corps,  familiar  as  we  all  are  with  the  fearful 
losses  inflicted  upon  it.  The  remnants  of  the  two  corps  fell 
back  upon  Cemetery  Hill,  which  lies  to  the  south  of  the  village 
of  Gettysburg,  and  there  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  remainder 
of  our  army. 

The  chief  features  of  the  ground  occupied  by  the  Union 
army  during  the  remainder  of  the  battle,  July  2d  and  3d,  may 
be  described  briefly  as  follows  : South  of  Gettysburg  there  is 
a chain  of  hills  and  bluffs  shaped  like  a fish-hook.  At  the 
east,  which  we  will  call  the  barb  of  the  hook,  is  Culp’s  Hill ; 
and  turning  to  the  west  is  Cemetery  Hill,  which  we  will  call 
the  shank,  running  north  and  south  until  it  terminates  near  a 
slope  in  a rocky,  wooded  peak  called  Round  Top,  having  Little 
Round  Top  as  a spur.  The  credit  of  selecting  this  position 
has  been  equally  claimed  by  both  Hancock  and  Howard.  At 
Hancock’s  suggestion  Meade  brought  the  army  forward  from 
Pipe  Creek  to  secure  it. 

Lee , having  arrived  at  Seminary  Ridge  with  his  troops  near 
the  close  of  the  first  day’s  battle,  made  an  examination  of  the 
field  and  left  Eivell  to  decide  for  himself  how  far  he  should 
follow  up  the  attack  upon  the  Union  army  at  the  east  of  the 
town  at  the  close  of  the  first  day’s  battle.  At  this  time  Eivell, 
observing  the  strong  position  occupied  by  the  Union  forces 
upon  Culp’s  Hill  by  the  arrival  of  the  Twelfth  Corps  under 


8 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Slocum,  decided  not  to  make  an  attack.  Cemetery  Hill  at  the 
same  time  was  well  occupied  by  infantry  and  artillery. 

On  the  second  day  Lee  determined  to  assume  the  offensive 
and  resolved  to  give  battle,  although  it  seems  that  when  he 
opened  his  campaign  he  had  declared  that  it  should  be  an 
offensive-defensive  one.  Probably  his  success  on  the  first  day 
may  have  induced  the  belief  that  a change  from  his  original 
plan  was  well  warranted.  He  was  also  influenced  by  the  belief 
that  the  attacking  party  has  the  moral  advantage,  and  in  the 
light  of  his  experience  at  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville 
he  thought  he  could  succeed.  Longstreet  urged  him  to  move 
around  the  Union  left,  and  manoeuvre  Meade  out  of  his  posi- 
tion by  threatening  his  communications  with  Washington  ; but 
he  declined  to  accept  the  advice. 

SECOND  DAY. 

On  the  morning  of  the  second,  Lee's  general  line  was  in 
concave  order  of  battle,  fronting  the  Union  army,  parallel  to 
Cemetery  Hill,  and  about  a mile  distant,  with  his  left  thrown 
to  the  east  and  through  the  town  to  a point  opposite  Culp’s 
Hill.  Longstreet  was  on  his  right,  occupying  Seminary  Ridge, 
and  about  a mile  distant  from  Cemetery  Hill,  with  Hill  in  the 
centre  and  Lwell  on  the  left. 

The  Union  position  was  in  the  following  order,  beginning 
on  the  right : Slocum  on  Culp’s  Hill ; Howard  on  Cemetery 
Hill ; Newton,  who  succeeded  Doubleday,  commanding  the 
First  Corps  ; Hancock  ; and  Sickles  ; the  latter  occupying  the 
low  ground  between  Hancock  on  his  right  and  Little  Round 
Top  on  his  left.  The  Twelfth  Corps  had  come  upon  the 
ground  after  the  fighting  of  the  first  day . The  Second  Corps 
arrived  on  the  morning  of  the  second  day.  Graham’s  and 
Ward’s  brigades  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Third  Corps  came 
upon  the  ground  about  seven  o’clock  on  the  night  of  the  first 
day,  followed  by  two  brigades  of  the  Second  Division  late  in 
the  night.  One  brigade  from  each  division,  left  at  Emmits- 
burg  with  artillery  to  guard  the  mountain  pass,  came  up  to 
Gettysburg  in  the  forenoon  of  the  second.  The  Fifth  and 
and  Sixth  corps,  by  a hard  night’s  march,  arrived  upon  the 


SECOND  DAY  OF  BATTLE. 


9 


ground  the  second  day.  The  morning  of  the  second  day  was 
occupied  by  Meade  in  strengthening  his  position  and  watching 
for  Lee's  attack.  He  believed  that  Lee  would  attack  him  on 
the  light  of  our  line,  and  prepared  to  move  against  Lee  from 
that  point.  He  finally  decided  to  remain  on  the  defensive. 

Lee  having  perfected  his  plans,  directed  Longstreet,  with 
his  two  divisions,  then  upon  the  field,  consisting  of  more  than 
15,000  men,  to  attack  a salient  thrown  out  by  Sickles  from  the 
general  line  on  our  left  at  the  Emmitsburg  Road.  Neither  army 
then  occupied  Round  Top  and  Longstreet  endeavored  to  capture 
it  by  extending  his  right  in  that  direction.  Sickles’  thin  line, 
of  less  than  10,000  men,  resisted  Longstreet  for  three  hours 
along  the  front  of  the  Third  Corps  position ; the  main  fighting 
of  the  First  Division  being  from  4 : 15  to  6:30  p.  m.,  and  of  the 
Second  Division  from  6 to  8 p.  m.  Towards  the  last  of  it,  on 
both  fronts,  other  troops  came  to  the  assistance  of  the  Third 
Corps.  A portion  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  thrown  into  the  support 
of  Sickles,  after  a desperate  struggle,  secured  Round  Top ; and 
though  Longstreet  forced  Sickles  back  from  his  salient  rein- 
forced by  troops  from  the  Second,  Fifth,  Sixth,  and  Twelfth 
corps,  he  secured  only  a small  benefit  commensurate  with  Ms 
loss  after  a long  and  bloody  engagement  lasting  from  4 o’clock 
p.  m.  until  it  was  dark  and  late  in  the  night. 

The  centre  of  the  Union  line  was  occupied  by  the  Second 
Corps,  under  Hancock,  who  assumed  command  of  the  left  soon 
after  Sickles  was  wounded.  The  Nineteenth  Maine  Regiment, 
under  Colonel  Heath,  assisted  in  repulsing  the  attack  of  Hill 
at  the  close  of  the  day,  and  made  a charge  driving  the  enemy 
beyond  the  Emmitsburg  Road,  recapturing  the  guns  of  one  of 
our  batteries  wMch  had  been  abandoned.  The  casualties  of  the 
regiment  in  killed  and  wounded  exceed  those  of  any  other 
Maine  regiment  on  tMs  field. 

In  the  TMrd  Corps  position  between  Round  Top  and  the 
Peach  Orchard  on  the  Emmitsburg  Road,  the  Fourth  Maine 
Regiment,  Col.  Elijah  Walker,  was  in  the  Devil’s  Den ; the 
Seventeenth,  Lieut. -Col.  Charles  B.  Merrill,  was  in  the  Wheat- 
field  ; and  the  TMrd  Maine,  Col.  Moses  B.  Lakeman,  was  in 
the  angle  of  the  salient  at  the  Peach  Orchard. 


10 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  Fourth  Maine,  with  great  sacrifice,  successfully  repelled 
a determined  attempt  of  Law  to  gain  the  rear  of  Birney,  and 
by  counter  charges  was  largely  instrumental  in  holding  back 
the  overwhelming  forces  brought  against  Devil’s  Den  until  our 
lines  were  established  farther  back.  The  Seventeenth  Maine, 
substantially  alone,  held  the  Wheatfield  against  successive 
onslaughts  of  thrice  its  numbers  of  the  veterans  of  Longstreet 
until  it  was  relieved  by  Hancock’s  troops,  after  more  than  two 
hours  of  fighting,  in  which  it  sustained  a loss  of  one-third  of 
its  strength  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  Third  Maine  with 
two  other  regiments  in  the  Peach  Orchard  defeated  the  fierce 
attacks  of  Kershaw's  South  Carolinians  upon  the  south  front 
of  that  position,  and  held  the  ground  until  the  enemy  gained 
the  rear  of  the  Orchard,  nearly  surrounding  the  small  remnant 
of  the  command. 

When  Longstreet,  late  in  the  day,  was  forcing  the  Union 
troops  back  upon  our  main  line  with  the  help  of  Hill,  who 
aided  to  dislodge  the  Second  Division  of  the  Third  Corps  from 
the  Emmitsburg  Road,  the  reserve  artillery  under  Major 
McGilvery  assisted  in  repelling  the  enemy’s  final  attack.  The 
Sixth  Battery,  under  Lieut.  E.  B.  Dow,  took  part  in  the  stand 
then  made  and  enabled  our  infantry  to  re-form. 

On  the  extreme  left  of  the  Union  line  was  the  Twentieth 
Maine  Regiment,  under  Col.  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain.  His 
regiment  was  on  the  left  of  the  Fifth  Corps  troops  that  took 
possession  of  Little  Round  Top  and  prevented  the  enemy,  after 
desperate  fighting,  from  turning  our  left.  After  expending  all 
his  ammunition,  Colonel  Chamberlain,  by  a timely  charge, 
drove  his  opponents  down  the  west  side  of  the  hill  and  capt- 
ured many  prisoners.  After  dark  the  regiment  seized  and  held 
Big  Round  Top. 

The  Seventh  Maine  Regiment,  Lieut. -Col.  Selden  Connor, 
took  position  on  high  ground  east  of  Rock  Creek,  the  extreme 
right  of  the  Union  infantry  line,  where  it  protected  our  flank, 
but  was  not  severely  engaged  after  having  driven  the  enemy’s 
skirmishers  out  along  its  front. 

Capt.  Jacob  McClure,  Co.  D,  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  was 
out  on  the  skirmish  line  in  front  of  the  First  Division  of  the 


THIRD  DAY  OF  BATTLE. 


11 


Third  Corps,  between  Round  Top  and  the  Emmitsburg  Road, 
and  was  under  constant  tire  from  morning  until  the  general 
advance  of  Long  street  in  the  afternoon.  When  the  company 
fell  back,  some  of  the  men  remained  in  line  of  battle  and  tilled 
vacant  places  in  the  thin  line  of  the  division.  Others  came 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Chamberlain  on  Little  Round 
Top  and  assisted  his  company  under  Captain  Morrill,  who  had 
command  of  a skirmish  line  on  the  left,  where  both  delivered  a 
flank  fire  upon  the  enemy  at  a critical  moment. 

On  the  right  of  the  Union  army  Ewell  gained  after  dark  a 
foothold  on  Culp’s  Hill,  where  a portion  of  the  Twelfth  Corps 
had  vacated  its  ground  when  ordered  near  night  to  other  parts 
of  the  Union  army. 

During  the  movement  against  Culp’s  Hill,  Early's  division 
was  directed  to  carry  Cemetery  Hill  by  a charge,  preceded  by 
an  artillery  tire  from  Benner’s  Hill  from  four  Confederate 
batteries.  These  batteries,  however,  were  silenced  by  our  bat- 
teries on  Cemetery  Hill  and  Stevens’  Fifth  Maine  Battery  in 
position  between  Cemetery  and  Culp's  Hill.  Then  Early's 
infantry  moved  out,  but  were  handsomely  repulsed,  suffering 
severe  loss,  especially  from  the  enfilading  fire  on  their  left 
flank  by  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery. 

THIRD  DAY. 

At  the  close  of  the  second  day,  Lee  believed  that  he  had 
effected  a lodgment  in  both  flanks  of  the  Union  army.  Meade 
called  a council  of  his  corps  commanders  and  decided  to  remain 
and  hold  his  position,  and  at  daylight  attacked  Ewell  in  force 
and  compelled  him  to  give  up  the  ground  that  he  had  occupied 
the  night  before  that  had  been  left  vacant  by  a portion  of  the 
Twelfth  Corps.  Then  Lee  determined  to  attack  the  centre  of 
the  Union  line  held  by  the  Second  Corps.  He  accordingly 
ordered  Longstreet , who  was  opposed  to  the  movement,  to 
make  this  assault  which  is  generally  called  "Pickett’s  Charge.” 
Lee  massed  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  guns  of  his  artillery 
along  Seminary  Ridge  and  the  Emmitsburg  Road  and  opened 
fire  against  the  Union  line.  Barely  eighty  guns  from  our  side 


12 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


could  be  put  in  position  to  reply,  and  a tremendous  artillery 
duel  followed  that  lasted  for  two  hours.  Then  Pickett , Petti- 
grew, and  Trimble,  under  order  of  General  Longstreet,  with  a 
column  of  about  fifteen  thousand  men,  made  a charge  into  the 
centre  of  the  Union  line  ; but  the  charge  failed,  although  some 
of  Pickett’s  men  broke  through  a portion  of  Hancock’s  first 
line,  where  they  were  met,  in  front  and  flank,  by  other  forces 
of  the  Second  Corps,  including  the  Nineteenth  Maine  Regiment, 
and  some  of  the  First  Corps,  which  rolled  them  back  with 
great  losses  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners.  This  ended 
the  fighting  along  the  infantry  line  of  the  Union  army.  The 
farthest  point  reached  by  the  Confederates  in  this  charge  is 
marked  by  the  "High-Water  Mark”  monument. 

After  the  repulse  of  Pickett  Kilpatrick  made  a charge  from 
the  extreme  Union  left  without  accomplishing  much  success. 
This  was  succeeded  by  an  infantry  reconnaissance  composed  of 
portions  of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  corps  — in  the  latter  a part 
of  the  Fifth  Maine  Regiment  participated  — in  the  direction  of 
the  Peach  Orchard,  which  resulted  in  the  retirement  of  the 
enemy  from  nearly  the  entire  front  of  the  left  of  the  Union 
lines  to  and  beyond  the  Emmitsburg  Road,  the  capture  of  a 
batch  of  prisoners,  and  the  re-capture  of  a piece  of  artillery 
from  the  enemy.  This  successful  and  promising  movement, 
however,  was  not  followed  up.  There  was  a sharp  and  hard 
cavalry  battle  between  Gregg,  in  conjunction  with  Custer,  and 
Stuart,  when  the  latter  endeavored  with  his  cavalry  to  pass 
around  the  Union  right  flank  on  the  third  day.  Charges  and 
counter  charges  were  made  there,  and  the  Confederates,  being 
defeated,  withdrew  from  the  field. 

Lee  spent  all  of  the  fourth  day  and  until  daylight  on  the 
fifth  preparing  for  retreat,  but  in  the  meantime  intrenching  for 
any  attack  that  might  be  made.  But  Meade  did  not  attack ; 
nor  would  he  adventure  anything.  He  permitted  Lee  to  fall 
back  to  the  Potomac  without  following  up  the  advantage  that 
he  had  gained.  Lee  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Williamsport  and 
was  followed  some  days  after  by  Meade. 

Of  the  forces  actually  engaged,  the  Union  loss  in  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg  was  twenty-three  thousand  out  of  seventy-eight 


[Ruin  mol 


-'<  Aw'*' 


i*tmain£^ 
'■  Position 


•"WilOtJ 


CAVALRY  ENGAGEMENT 
J uly  3 rd.  [863. 


Two  Taverns' 


AT  B ATT  LE  O F 

G ETTYS  BURG 


Union  ww  Confederate 


MAINE  TROOPS  ENGAGED. 


13 


thousand ; the  Confederate  was  twenty-three  thousand  out  of 
seventy  thousand,  — about  one-third  of  the  entire  number 
engaged. 

In  the  following  chapters  will  be  found  the  accounts  of  the 
Maine  troops  at  Gettysburg  arranged  in  chronological  order  as 
follows  : — 

Second  Maine  Battery,  Capt.  James  A.  Hall. 

Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment,  Col.  Charles  W.  Tilden. 

Fifth  Maine  Battery,  Capt.  Greenlief  T.  Stevens. 

Third  Maine  Regiment,  Col.  Moses  B.  Lakeman. 

Fourth  Maine  Regiment,  Col.  Elijah  Walker. 

Seventeenth  Maine  Regiment,  Lieut. -Col.  Charles  B.  Merrill. 

Twentieth  Maine  Regiment,  Col.  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain. 

Nineteenth  Maine  Regiment,  Col.  Francis  E.  Heath. 

Sixth  Maine  Battery,  Lieut.  Edwin  B.  Dow. 

Co.  D,  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  Capt.  Jacob  McClure. 

Fifth  Maine  Regiment,  Col.  Clark  S.  Edwards. 

Sixth  Maine  Regiment,  Col.  Hiram  Burnham. 

Seventh  Maine  Regiment,  Lieut. -Col.  Selden  Connor. 

First  Maine  Cavalry,  Col.  Charles  H.  Smith. 

Tenth  Maine  Battalion,  Capt.  John  D.  Beardsley. 


14 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MONUMENT 

OF 

HALL’S  SECOND  MAINE  BATTERY. 


The  monument,  of  white  Hallowell  granite,  stands  upon  the  spot 
selected  for  the  Battery  by  General  Reynolds  on  the  morning  of  July 
1st.  It  stands  a few  feet  from  the  Chambersburg  Pike  on  the  north  side. 
Upon  one  face  of  the  shaft  there  is  countersunk  in  relief  the  head  of  a vol- 
unteer artillerist.  On  the  summit  are  five  balls  of  black  Addison  granite; 
four  of  which  rest  on  projecting  corners  of  the  cap,  and  the  fifth,  of  larger 
size,  crowns  the  central  apex. 

ADMEASUREMENTS. 

Base:  six  feet,  by  six  feet,  by  two  feet;  plinth:  four  feet,  by  four  feet, 
by  two  feet  two  inches;  die:  three  feet,  by  three  feet,  by  six  feet;  cap:  two 
feet  eleven  inches,  by  two  feet  eleven  inches,  by  one  foot  nine  inches;  ball: 
one  foot  four  inches  diameter;  four  balls,  each  one  foot  diameter.  Total 
height,  thirteen  feet  and  three  inches. 

INSCRIPTIONS. 

Hall’s 

2nd  Maine  Battery. 

1st  Brig. 

2nd  Div. 

.1st  Corps. 

July  1,  1863. 

On  the  other  side  facing  the  Chambersburg  Pike  is  inscribed: 

Casualties 
2 Men  Killed 
18  Wounded. 

Beside  the  monument  stands  a cannon  mounted  upon  an  iron  carriage, 
which  has  been  purchased  and  placed  there  by  the  survivors  of  the  Battery. 


HALL’S  SECOND  MAINE  BATTERY, 

ARTILLERY  BRIGADE,  FIRST  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


HALL'S  Second  Maine  Battery  went  into  action  tirst  of  all 
the  Maine  troops.  It  was  attached  to  the  artillery  brigade 
of  the  First  Corps  (a)  ; and  was  the  battery  selected,  in 
accordance  with  the  practice  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  at  that 
time,  to  accompany  the  leading  division  of  the  Corps  upon  its 
march.  This  arrangement  brought  it  upon  the  held  in  the  very 
van  of  the  First  Corps.  Calef’ s battery  of  horse  artillery,  which 
had  been  assisting  Buford,  retired  as  the  Second  Maine  came  up 
to  take  its  place  ; and  the  latter  battery  at  once  opened  upon  the 
enemy  the  first  cannonade  after  the  arrival  of  the  Union  infantry 
and  the  action  of  General  Reynolds  had  committed  the  army 
definitely  to  a battle  for  the  possession  of  Gettysburg. 

The  men  who  brought  the  six  three-inch  guns  of  the  Battery 
into  position  to  join  in  the  deepening  roar  of  the  great  battle 
were  volunteers  principally  from  Knox  County,  but  there  were 
also  men  from  Lincoln,  Cumberland,  York,  Kennebec,  Frank- 
lin, Androscoggin,  and  Oxford.  Thirty-eight  infantry-men, 
detailed  from  the  Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment,  also  did  duty 
with  the  Battery  on  this  day.  Captain  James  A.  Hall,  of 
Damariscotta,  a young  soldier  whose  conduct  in  other  cam- 
paigns had  earned  his  promotion  from  the  first  lieutenantcy, 
commanded  the  Battery. 

General  Reynolds  in  person  selected  the  position  for  the 
Battery,  on  the  right  of  and  near  the  Chambersburg  Pike,  on 
the  left  of  and  several  yards  (b)  from  the  deep  cut  of  an  untin- 

(a)  The  inscription  upon  the  monument  assigns  the  Second  Battery  to 
the  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  First  Corps.  General  Hall  states,  how- 
ever, that  after  January,  1863,  all  batteries  ceased  to  be  attached  to  brigades 
and  divisions  of  infantry,  and  constituted  an  artillery  brigade,  their  com- 
manders reporting  directly  to  corps  headquarters.  This  rule  did  not  apply 
to  the  reserve  artillery,  which  was  under  an  independent  commander. 

(b)  In  1887  General  Hall  visited  the  field  and  found  the  position  occu- 
pied by  the  right  guns  of  the  Battery.  By  a measurement  made  by  him,  the 
distance  from  it  to  the  cut  was  found  to  be  only  twenty-one  yards. 


16 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ished  railroad  which  extended  from  Gettysburg  in  a direction 
nearly  parallel  with  the  Chambersburg  Pike.  The  position 
which  General  Reynolds  selected  is  the  spot  upon  which  the 
State  of  Maine  has  erected  its  monument  of  the  Battery.  It 
commanded  the  approaches  along  the  Chambersburg  Pike,  and 
overlooked,  as  it  does  to-day,  a broad  and  beautiful  expanse  of 
country,  which  rises  and  falls  in  gentle  slopes  of  fields,  past- 
ures and  forests  as  far  as  the  blue  South  Mountain  range  to 
the  west  and  north. 

As  General  Reynolds  and  Captain  Hall  rode  up  to  this 
position  on  the  morning  of  July  1,  1863,  the  nearest  of  those 
slopes  was  already  occupied  by  the  deploying  columns  of 
Heth’s  division  of  Hill’s  corps,  the  van  of  Lee’s  army.  At  the 
same  time,  from  a ridge  to  the  westward,  nearly  twenty  Con- 
federate cannon  were  cannonading  the  ground  upon  which  the 
infantry  of  the  First  Corps  was  forming.  "Pay  your  atten- 
tion to  those  guns,”  said  General  Reynolds  to  Captain  Hall, 
"and  draw  their  fire  from  our  infantry  while  it  is  forming.” 
And  to  General  Wadsworth,  commander  of  the  First  Division 
of  the  Corps,  wTho  rode  up  at  that  moment,  he  said : "Put  a 
strong  support  on  the  right  of  this  battery ; I will  look  out  for 
the  left.”  With  these  words  (a)  General  Reynolds  rode  away 
to  the  left,  where  he  was  soon  after  killed  in  the  thick  of  the 
fight.  To  this  position,  hastily  chosen  amid  the  crash  of  the 
rapidly  increasing  battle,  the  Second  Maine  Battery  moved  up  at 
once.  It  was  then  between  10  and  11  o’clock  in  the  forenoon. 

The  Second  Maine,  galloping  up  to  the  position  designated 
by  General  Reynolds,  formed,  "by  piece,  to  the  left  into  bat- 
tery” and  opened  fire,  enfilading  the  Chambersburg  Pike  and 
playing  with  effect  upon  the  Confederate  batteries  that  were 
annoying  General  Reynolds’  infantry.  It  was  a critical 
moment  when  the  Battery  came  upon  the  field,  and  its  com- 
mander had  no  time  to  examine  closely  the  ground  about  him, — 
apparently  the  field  extending  away  to  his  right,  and  covered 
with  un-mown  grass,  was  smooth  and  unbroken.  Of  the  deep 
railroad  cut  along  the  right  of  his  position  he  saw  no  sign 

(a)  Gen.  J.  A.  Hall  remembers  these  orders,  which  were  given  in  his 
presence. 


hall’s  battery  opens. 


17 


whatever ; and  as  he  naturally  took  position  on  the  left  of  his 
Battery  and  nearer  the  Chambersburg  Pike,  he  received  no 
intimation  of  the  existence  of  the  cut  until  the  Battery  had 
been  firing  some  time  ( a) . He  was  suddenly  undeceived  when 
Lieutenant  Carr  reported  that  a body  of  the  enemy  were  within 
twenty  yards  of  the  right  gun  of  the  Battery. 

The  movement  which  had  taken  place  was  most  menacing 
to  the  Second  Maine.  About  the  time  the  Battery  came  into 
position,  or  a little  before,  Gen.  Joseph  R.  Davis’  Confederate 
brigade,  of  Heth’s  division,  was  also  deploying  on  the  same 
side  of  the  Chambersburg  Pike,  fronting  the  Battery,  but 
masked  by  an  intervening  ridge.  Davis’  brigade  brought  into 
line  that  morning  three  regiments,  the  42d  Mississippi  on  the 
right,  55th  North  Carolina  on  the  left,  and  2d  Mississippi  in 
the  centre  (b).  These  regiments  advanced  against  Gen.  Lysan- 
der  Cutler’s  (c)  brigade,  of  the  First  Division,  the  greater 
part  of  which  General  Wadsworth  had  stationed  to  the  right  of 
the  Second  Maine’s  position  in  compliance  with  General  Rey- 
nolds’ directions. 

Cutler’s  troops,  however,  did  not  withstand  the  advance 
of  Davis,  which  struck  their  right  flank  with  force  and  com- 
pelled a large  portion  of  the  brigade  to  retire.  This  left  the 
Battery  exposed  to  the  enemy,  who  could  advance  upon  its 
right  flank  or  annoy  it  from  the  shelter  of  the  railroad  cut. 
Captain  Hall  did  not  at  first  believe  it  possible  that  the  enemy 
could  be  in  the  position  described  by  Lieutenant  Carr ; but 
riding  to  the  right  he  was  convinced  at  once  that  the  line  of 
soldiers  levelling  their  muskets  at  his  men  were  the  enemy. 
Lieutenant  Ulmer,  who  was  commanding  the  guns  of  the  right 
section,  with  great  coolness  and  judgment  had  anticipated  the 
orders  of  Captain  Hall,  and,  turning  two  pieces  towards  the 
advancing  line,  opened  upon  them  with  double-shotted  canister. 
This  discharge  sent  the  Confederates  tumbling  back  into  the 
cut ; but  the  Confederate  skirmishers,  shielding  themselves 

(a)  Statement  of  Captain  Hall  in  1889. 

(b)  Official  report  of  Confederate  General  J.  R.  Davis,  Aug.  26,  1863. 
Confederate  corps,  divisions,  and  brigades  were  respectively  larger  than  the 
corresponding  organizations  in  the  Union  army. 

(c)  General  Cutler  was  long  a resident  of  Maine  ; moved  west  in  1857; 
his  brigade  was  composed  of  N.  Y.,  Penn,  and  Ind.  regts. 


18 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


behind  such  natural  protections  as  the  ground  afforded,  were 
able  to  pick  off  the  gunners  who  had  just  repelled  the  battle 
line  so  gallantly.  For  Obvious  reasons  a battery,  though 
effective  against  troops  in  a body,  is  at  the  mercy  of  scattered 
skirmishers  unless  it  is  protected  by  an  infantry  support. 
Having  no  such  support,  the  Second  Battery  found  it  necessary 
to  retire  at  once,  before  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  should  succeed 
in  disabling  it  by  killing  men  and  horses.  Lieutenant  Ulmer 
was  directed  to  take  his  two  guns  of  the  right  section,  retire 
with  them  two  hundred  and  fifty  or  three  hundred  yards,  and 
take  position  to  enfilade  the  railroad  cut,  which  was  affording 
shelter  to  the  Confederates.  The  other  four  guns  were  kept  at 
work  in  the  old  position  by  Captain  Hall,  who  intended  to 
remain  there  until  Lieutenant  Ulmer  could  open  fire  from  the 
new  position.  But  Lieutenant  Ulmer  was  not  allowed  to  carry 
out  his  part  of  this  plan.  As  he  retired  the  Confederates  fol- 
lowed in  the  cut ; and  before  he  could  fire  a shot  they  charged 
upon  him.  They  shot  down  horses  and  men,  and  he  succeeded 
in  getting  his  guns  beyond  their  reach  with  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty. One  gun  was  dragged  off  by  hand,  all  the  horses 
attached  to  it  having  been  shot. 

Meanwhile  the  other  guns  of  the  Battery  were  in  the  great- 
est jeopardy.  The  Confederate  infantry  were  forming  in  the 
cut  for  another  charge.  Not  a moment  could  be  lost.  A high 
fence  and  an  enfilading  fire  from  Confederate  batteries  rendered 
a movement  into  the  Chambersburg  Pike  impracticable.  The 
only  way  open  for  a retreat  was  through  the  field  between  the 
pike  and  railroad  cut.  The  order  was  given  at  once  ; and  the 
intrepid  artillery-men  began  the  movement  obediently,  under 
a heavy  fire.  The  Confederates  shot  all  the  horses  attached  to 
one  gun,  and  the  artillery-men  were  obliged  to  leave  it  tem- 
porarily (a)  ; but  the  remainder  were  brought  to  a place  of 
safety  on  the  Chambersburg  Pike.  Captain  Hall  was  about  to 
return  to  take  off  his  unhorsed  and  abandoned  gun,  when 
General  Wadsworth  gave  him  a peremptory  order  to  lose  no 
time  in  getting  his  battery  into  position  on  the  heights  near 

(a)  The  Confederate  troops  were  Davis’  brigade.  Davis  was  shortly 
after  driven  out  of  his  advanced  position  with  a large  loss  of  prisoners, 
caught  like  mice  in  the  railroad  cut  by  a gallant  charge  of  Union  regiments. 


hall’s  battery  engaged. 


19 


the  town  to  cover  the  retiring  of  the  First  Corps.  So  that 
gun  remained  upon  the  field  until,  later,  Captain  Hall  with  his 
own  men  and  horses  took  it  off. 

The  conduct  of  the  Battery  during  the  half  hour  in  which 
it  had  been  engaged  had  been  conspicuously  gallant.  It  had 
maintained  itself  against  the  concentrated  fire  of  the  Confed- 
erate guns  massed  against  its  position,  returning  their  fire  with 
such  effect  that  several  of  the  enemy’s  pieces  were  disabled ; 
and  had,  without  the  assistance  of  infantry,  repulsed  one  Con- 
federate charge  (a).  But  the  little  command  had  suffered 
severely.  Two  men  had  been  killed  outright  and  eighteen  had 
been  wounded.  Twenty-eight  horses  had  been  killed,  and 
Captain  Hall’s  horse  had  been  severely  wounded  under  its 
rider.  Three  of  the  six  guns  had  been  temporarily  disabled, 
one  gun  carriage  and  two  axles  being  broken.  Of  this  part  of 
the  battle  General  Hall  has  written  (in  1889)  as  follows : — 

“ For  one,  who,  under  the  blessings  of  a kind  Providence,  has  been  car- 
ried through  a trying  ordeal  on  the  field  of  battle,  to  write  the  story  which  is 
in  a limited  degree  the  chronicle  of  his  own  acts  is  not  agreeable  to  me.  A 
generous  country  has  given  the  Second  Maine  Battery  full  credit  for  what  it 
performed  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg  July  i,  1863,  while  eminent  soldiers, 
high  in  military  renown,  have  been  more  than  generous  in  commendation 
of  the  conduct  of  the  company  on  that  day.  It  was  one  of  those  moments 
when  fortune  seems  to  come  to  men  beyond  expectation,  and  by  dealing 
kindly  with  tried  humanity  permits  mortals  to  accomplish  results  which 
they  could  not  hope  for.  If  I should  be  asked  if  I could  again  take  the 
Second  Maine  Battery  as  it  was  July  1,  1863,  into  that  action,  do  what  we 
then  did,  and  get  away  with  so  little  loss,  I should  answer,  ‘ I do  not  think 
I could.’  If  repeated  a thousand  times  I would  have  no  hope  of  once  being 
so  highly  favored  as  we  were  then.  It  was  one  of  those  rare  occasions  in 
warfare  when  unexpected  favors  were  at  hand,  and  when  some  invisible 
protection  was  very  kind.  Hence  the  command  was  rescued,  while  another 
company,  in  the  same  position  and  equally  as  well  commanded,  might  have 
been  destroyed,  with  no  one  at  fault.  I am  sure  that  no  mistakes  were 
made  by  my  officers  and  men, — not  one.  Every  man  did  his  full  duty  and 
far  more.  My  Lieutenants,  William  N.  Ulmer,  of  Rockland,  Me.,  afterwards 
Captain  of  the  Battery,  Albert  F.Thomas  and  Frank  Carr, both  of  Thomaston 

(a)  General  Hall  has  always  regretted  that  the  enemy’s  infantry  could  not  have 
heen  kept  off  the  flank  of  the  Second  Maine  that  morning.  Although  his  Battery 
was  overmatched  three  to  one  by  the  enemy’s  guns  so  far  as  number  was  concerned, 
he  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  Maine  gunners  would  have  come  off  with  the  honors 
of  the  duel.  Before  the  Confederates  appeared  on  the  right  flank  the  Second  Maine 
had  silenced  three  or  four  of  the  Confederate  guns  and  was  in  good  condition  for  a 
long  cannonade.  But  the  Union  right  had  been  overlapped,  and  without  infantry 
support  the  Battery  could  not  remain. 


20 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  both  now  dead,  with  all  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  men, 
were  possessed  with  but  one  mind  on  that  field;  namely,  to  save  the  guns 
or  die  in  the  attempt.  I have  always  given  Ulmer  great  credit  for  his 
prompt,  soldierly,  and  heroic  work  in  meeting  the  first  appearance  of  the 
enemy  on  our  right. 

“ One  ridiculous  thing  in  some  of  the  histories  of  the  battle  has  caused 
me  annoyance,  namely:  as  our  last  gun  was  retiring  into  the  pike  from  the 
second  ridge  to  the  rear,  all  the  horses  on  it  were  killed,  and  that  gun 
remained  on  the  field  in  jeopardy  for  some  time,  until  with  a pair  of  horses, 
a sergeant,  and  two  men  I was  able  to  take  it  off  safely.  It  has  been 
claimed  by  several  other  commands  that  they  fired  that  gun  with  telling 
effect  upon  the  enemy.  As  the  gun  while  standing  upon  the  field  without 
horses  was  not  moved,  and  was  not  even  unlimbered,  of  course  it  was  not 
fired  and  could  not  have  been  fired  during  that  time.” 

It  was  between  11  and  12  o’clock  in  the  forenoon  when  the 
Battery  was  brought  to  a safe  position  near  the  town  on  the 
Chambersburg  Pike  (a).  The  First  Corps,  until  this  time  the 
only  Union  troops  upon  the  held,  were  hard  pressed ; and  it 
was  to  prepare  for  their  retirement  to  the  strong  position  of 
Cemetery  Hill  that  General  Wadsworth  ordered  the  Second 
Maine  to  move  through  the  town  and  take  that  position  in 
advance.  The  Battery  retired  according  to  orders  and  took  a 
commanding  position  in  the  old  cemetery.  But  meanwhile 
General  Howard  with  the  Eleventh  Corps  had  appeared ; and 
the  Battery  was  scarcely  in  position  before  an  aide  came  from 
General  Wadsworth  saying  that  the  front  line  was  to  be  held 
and  directing  the  Battery  to  return. 

The  Battery  at  once  moved  down  the  hill,  through  the 
streets  of  the  town,  and,  taking  the  line  of  the  unfinished  rail- 
road, proceeded  to  Seminary  Ridge.  The  enemy’s  artillery 
were  at  that  time  enfilading  this  cut,  but  the  movement  was 
made  without  casualties.  At  Seminary  Ridge  the  Battery 
received  the  order  to  move  by  a wood  road  along  the  ridge 
towards  the  Union  right  and  "go  into  battery”  on  the  open 
ground  beyond.  But  before  the  movement  was  completed  it 
was  found  that  the  enemy  were  in  possession  in  that  direction  ; 
and  the  Battery  was  forced  to  return  to  the  Chambersburg 

(a)  In  his  official  report  of  the  battle  Gen.  Abner  Doubleday,  who 
commanded  the  First  Corps,  says:  “ The  dispositions  made  by  Captain 
Hall  to  meet  the  emergency  were  both  able  and  resolute.”  This  refers, 
of  course,  to  the  repulse  of  the  charge  from  the  railroad  cut. 


HALLS  BATTERY  ENGAGED. 


21 


Pike.  There  it  was  met  by  Colonel  Wainwright,  chief  of 
artillery  of  the  First  Corps,  who,  seeing  that  the  Battery  had 
but  three  guns  left  for  work,  ordered  it  to  return  to  the  posi- 
tion upon  Cemetery  Hill  (a) . Before  obeying  the  order  Cap- 
tain Hall  was  allowed  to  recover  the  gun  left  in  the  forenoon, 
which  had  been  kept  from  the  Confederates  by  an  opportune 
advance  of  the  Union  infantry  soon  after  it  had  been  abandoned. 

On  July  2d,  the  second  day  of  the  battle,  the  three  effective 
guns  of  the  Battery  were  stationed  on  the  extreme  left  of  the 
line  of  artillery  in  the  cemetery.  Here  at  4.15  p.  m.  the  Bat- 
tery opened  fire  in  reply  to  the  enemy’s  guns,  and  continued 
in  action  until  the  latter  ceased  firing  for  the  day.  In  this 
action  one  of  the  gun  carriages  was  disabled  by  the  force  of  a 
recoil,  and  the  Battery  was  retired  that  night  for  repairs  (b). 
During  the  battles  of  the  two  days  it  had  fired  six  hundred 
and  thirty-five  rounds  of  ammunition. 

The  monument  erected  by  the  State  of  Maine  stands,  as 
has  already  been  stated,  upon  the  spot  selected  for  the  Battery 
by  General  Reynolds  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day.  Cut 
from  the  granite  of  Maine  it  is,  both  in  size  and  design,  an 
appropriate  memorial. 

In  the  Evergreen  Cemetery,  at  Gettysburg,  a granite  tablet  has  been 
erected  to  mark  the  position  of  the  Battery  on  the  second  day  of  the  battle, 
bearing  this  inscription: 

Hall’s 

Battery. 

2nd  Maine. 

July  2,  1863. 


(a)  In  retiring  through  the  town  the  second  time  the  Battery  was 
unmolested,  as  the  Union  lines  had  not  begun  to  give  way  extensively 
enough  to  allow  the  enemy  to  advance  to  the  tdwn.  General  Doubleday, 
in  his  history  of  the  battle,  says  of  the  retreat  of  the  First  Corps:  “ I remem- 
ber seeing  Hall’s  Battery  and  the  6th  Wisconsin  Regiment  halt  from  time 
to  time  to  face  the  enemy  and  fire  down  the  streets.”  Captain  Hall  says 
that  some  other  battery  must  have  been  mistaken  for  his,  as  the  Second 
Maine  passed  through  the  streets  before  the  general  retreat. 

(b)  In  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day  Captain  Hall  had  command  of 
several  batteries  of  reserve  artillery.  On  the  third  day  he  was  on  duty  with 
General  Hunt,  Chief  of  Artillery  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 


22 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  CAPT.  JAMES  A.  HALL. 

Near  Berlin,  Md.,  July  16,  1863. 

Colonel:  — I have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  as  my  report  of 
the  part  taken  by  my  Battery  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  on  July  1st,  2d, 
and  3d: — 

We  were  in  camp  on  the  morning  of  July  1st  at  Marsh  Creek,  four  miles 
from  Gettysburg.  At  9 a.  m.  marched,  following  the  advance  brigade  of 
the  First  Division,  First  Army  Corps,  to  the  battlefield,  about  a half  a mile 
south  and  west  of  town,  where  we  were  ordered  into  position  by  General 
Reynolds  on  the  right  of  the  Cashtown  Road,  some  400  yards  beyond  Sem- 
inary Hill.  The  enemy  had  previously  opened  a battery  of  six  guns  directly 
in  our  front  at  1,300  yards  distance,  which  they  concentrated  upon  me  as  I 
went  into  position,  but  with  very  little  effect. 

We  opened  upon  this  battery  with  shot  and  shell  at  10.45  A.  M->  our 
first  six  shots  causing  the  enemy  to  change  the  position  of  two  of  his  guns 
and  place  them  under  cover  behind  a barn.  In  twenty-five  minutes  from 
the  time  we  opened  fire  a column  of  the  enemy’s  infantry  charged  up  a 
ravine  on  our  right  flank  within  sixty  yards  of  my  right  piece,  when  they 
commenced  shooting  down  my  horses  and  wounding  my  men.  I ordered 
the  right  and  centre  sections  to  open  upon  this  column  with  canister,  and 
kept  the  left  firing  upon  the  enemy’s  artillery.  This  canister  fire  was  very 
effective  and  broke  the  charge  of  the  enemy,  when,  just  at  this  moment,  to 
my  surprise  I saw  my  support  falling  back  without  any  order  having  been 
given  me  to  retire.  Feeling  that  if  the  position  was  too  advanced  for 
infantry  it  was  equally  so  for  artillery,  I ordered  the  Battery  to  retire  by 
sections,  although  having  no  order  to  do  so.  The  support  falling  back  rap- 
idly, the  right  section  of  the  Battery,  which  I ordered  to  take  position  some 
seventy-five  yards  to  the  rear,  to  cover  the  retiring  of  the  other  four  pieces, 
was  charged  upon  by  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  and  four  of  the  horses  from 
one  of  the  guns  shot.  The  men  of  the  section  dragged  this  gun  off  by  hand. 

As  the  last  piece  of  the  Battery  was  coming  away,  all  its  horses  were 
shot,  and  I was  about  to  return  for  it  myself,  when  General  Wadsworth 
gave  me  a peremptory  order  to  lose  no  time,  but  get  my  Battery  in  position 
near  the  town,  on  the  heights,  to  cover  the  retiring  of  the  troops. 

I sent  a sergeant  with  five  men  after  the  piece,  all  of  whom  were 
wounded  or  taken  prisoners.  I had  got  near  to  the  position  I had  been 
ordered  to  take,  when  I received  another  order  from  General  Wadsworth  to 
bring  my  guns  immediately  back;  the  officer  bringing  the  order  saying  he 
would  show  me  the  road  to  take,  which  was  the  railroad  grading  leading 
out  from  town,  which  was  swept  at  the  time  by  two  of  the  enemy’s  guns 
from  the  hills  beyond,  through  the  excavations  at  Seminary  Hill. 

Having  gotten  on  to  this  road,  from  its  construction  I could  not  turn 
from  it  on  either  side,  and  was  obliged  to  advance  1,200  yards  under  this 
raking  fire.  Arriving  at  Seminary  Hill,  I found  no  one  to  show  me  the 
position  I was  to  occupy,  and  placed  my  Battery  in  park  under  cover  of  the 
hill,  and  went  forward  to  see  where  to  take  position,  when  I again  met  an 


hall's  official  report. 


23 


aide  of  General  Wadsworth,  who  ordered  me  to  go  to  the  right  along  the 
woods,  pass  over  the  crest  and  over  a ravine,  and  there  take  position. 

Obeying  this  order,  I moved  towards  the  right  until  met  by  an  orderly, 
who  informed  me  I was  going  directly  into  the  enemy’s  lines,  which  were 
advancing  from  this  direction.  I halted  my  command  and  rode  forward, 
but  before  reaching  the  described  position  was  fired  upon  by  the  enemy’s 
skirmishers.  I then  countermarched  my  Battery  and  moved  to  near  the 
seminary,  and  was  going  forward  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  where  to  go, 
when  I met  Colonel  Wainwright,  who  informed  me  my  abandoned  gun  was 
still  on  the  field,  and  that  he  had  refused  to  put  the  Battery  into  the  position 
desired  by  General  Wadsworth.  I then  took  a limber  and  went  back  upon 
the  field  with  one  sergeant,  and  recovered  the  abandoned  gun  with  parts  of 
all  the  harness,  and  immediately  moved  back  through  the  town,  putting  my 
only  three  guns  which  were  not  disabled  in  position,  by  order  of  General 
Howard,  on  the  left  of  the  cemetery'. 

On  the  second  we  opened  fire  in  reply  to  the  enemy’s  guns  at  4. 15  p.  m., 
and  continued  in  action  until  the  enemy’s  artillery  ceased  for  the  day,  dur- 
ing which  time  another  gun  was  disabled  by  its  axle  breaking  by  the  recoil, 
when  I was  relieved  by  a battery  from  the  reserve  artillery,  and,  by  order  of 
General  Newton,  went  to  the  rear  to  repair  damages,  and  the  Battery  took 
no  further  part  in  the  engagement. 

Casualties,  first  day,  eighteen  men  wounded  and  four  taken  prisoners; 
twenty-eight  horses  killed  and  six  wounded;  one  gun-carriage  rendered 
useless,  two  axles  broken.  Second  day,  one  axle  broken.  Fired  during 
engagement,  635  rounds  of  ammunition. 

Very'  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

James  A.  Hall, 

Captain,  Commanding  Second  Maine  Battery. 

Col.  C.  S.  Wainwright, 

Commanding  Artillery  Brigade,  First  Army  Corps. 

— Rebellion  Records,  Series  I,  Vol.  xxvii,  p.  359. 


PARTICIPANTS. 

At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  the  Second  Maine  Battery  carried  the 
names  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  officers  and  men  on  its  rolls,  thirty-five  of 
whom  were  detailed  from  the  Sixteenth  Maine  Infantry',  two  from  the  13th 
Mass.  Infantry,  and  two  from  the  97th  New  York  Infantry,  thus  leaving  but 
one  hundred  and  eleven  of  its  own  men.  The  present  for  duty'  (including 
three  on  daily  duty  and  seven  present  sick)  is  made  up  from  ninety-two 
names  of  the  battery  men  proper,  thirty-one  from  the  Sixteenth  Maine,  two 
from  the  13th  Mass.,  and  two  from  the  97th  New  York,  a total  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-seven.  The  six  on  detached  service  are  all  battery  men, 
while  the  seventeen  absent  sick  are  made  up  of  thirteen  battery  men  and 
four  from  the  Sixteenth  Maine.  A large  portion  of  this  detail  from  the  Six- 
teenth Maine  was  later  transferred  permanently  to  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery. 


24 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Present  for  Duty. 

(including  three  on  daily  duty  and  seven  present  sick.) 
COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS. 

Captain,  James  A.  Hall,  Damariscotta. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  N.  Ulmer,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Albert  F.  Thomas,  Thomaston. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  F.  Carr,  Thomaston. 
SERGEANTS. 

John  Montgomery,  Boothbay,  Austin  Reed,  Boothbay, 

Asia  F.  Arnold,  Damariscotta,  William  A.  Davis,  Damariscotta, 

Charles  E.  Stubbs,  New  Gloucester,  Anthony  N.  Greely,  Rockland, 
Thomas  E.  Barry,  Cape  Elizabeth,  Oscar  Spear,  Warren. 


CORPORALS. 


Nathan  Batchelder,  St.  George, 
John  W.  Turner,  Camden, 
Asbury  Staples,  Cape  Elizabeth, 
Cyrus  T.  Parker,  Windham, 
Franklin  Tolman,  Rockland, 
Cyrus  N.  Mills,  Rockland, 


George  F.  Thomas,  Rockland, 
Charles  Allen,  Rockland, 
James  Ward,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
Warren  Ott,  Camden, 

John  Marsh,  Portland. 


MUSICIANS. 

Alexander  Burgess,  Warren,  Ezekiel  F.  Demuth,  Thomaston. 


ARTIFICERS. 

Percy  Montgomery,  Rockland,  Thomas  G.  Huntington,  Richmond. 


PRIVATES. 


Achorn,  Washington,  Rockland, 
Barnard,  Alvin,  Waldoboro, 
Barrington,  John,  Rockland, 
Brackley,  Orrin,  Freeman, 

Burns,  George  W.,  Vinalhaven, 
Corhaulen,  Cornelius,  Camden, 
Davis,  Alpheus  S.,  Warren, 

Derby,  Samuel,  Rockland, 
Farrington,  Jacob  U.,  Rockland, 
Gardiner,  Benjamin  B.,  Rockland, 
Green,  Alva  F.,  Rockland, 

Harding,  Samuel  J.,  Camden, 
Hewitt,  Anson,  Rockland, 

Ingraham,  Clarence,  So.  Thomaston, 
Jameson,  Charles  A.,  Rockland, 
Jones,  Samuel  E.,  Camden, 

Kellar,  Moses  J.,  Camden, 

Knowles,  Joseph  P.,  Rockland, 
McCollum,  James  D.,  Warren, 
Marsh,  Robert  N.,  Rockland, 
Meservey,  Morrill  J.,  Camden, 
Nichols,  Henry,  Thomaston, 
Orbeton,  William  N.,  Camden, 
Parks,  George  T.,  Damariscotta, 


Ames,  Charles  E.,  Damariscotta, 
Barnes,  George  E.,  Camden, 
Blackington,  Leland,  Camden, 
Bunker,  George,  Rockland, 

Colby,  James,  Fox  Island, 

Crie,  Reuben  F.,  Matinicus  Isle  PI., 
Davis,  Harrison  H.,  Liberty, 

Fales,  Abner  A.,  Thomaston, 
Fletcher,  Charles  D.,  Camden, 
Greely,  Almond,  Rockland, 

Hall,  Henry  E.,  Matinicus  Isle  PL, 
Harrington,  Thomas  J.,  St.  George, 
Hysom,  George  W.,  Jr.,  Bristol, 
Ingraham,  Elbridge  G.  S.,  Camden, 
Jones,  Charles,  Athens, 

Kellar,  John  M.,  Rockland, 
Kirkpatrick,  Benjamin,  Rockland, 
Linnekin,  Alonzo  D.,  Warren, 
McDonald,  Ambrose,  Portland, 
Melvin,  Hartwell,  Camden, 

Nash,  John  B.,  Warren, 

Nutter,  John  F.,  Wellington, 

Ott,  William  H.,  Camden, 

Pinkham,  Orrin  G.,  Strong, 


hall’s  battery  participants. 


25 


Plaisted,  Orin,  Searsmont,  Ray,  Myron,  Camden, 

Rhines,  Isaiah,  Damariscotta,  Ripley,  Frederick,  Appleton, 

Snowdeal,  Joseph,  South  Thomaston,  Spaulding,  Charles  H.,  Rockland, 


Spaulding,  Robert,  Rockland, 
Thompson,  James  L.,  Rockland, 
Ulmer,  Frank  H.,  Rockland, 
Vining,  James,  Avon, 

Witham,  Franklin  P.,  Rockland, 
Wood,  Jerome  B.,  Rockland. 


Starrett,  Augustus,  Warren, 
Thorndike,  Richard  N.,  Camden, 
Ulmer,  Frederick  H.,  Rockland, 
Walsh,  Spencer  G.,  Rockland, 
Witham,  Odbrey,  Rockland, 


Detached  Sixteenth  Maine  Men  Present  with  the  Battery. 
Allen,  Lorenzo  D.,  Canton,  Baker,  Amos,  Hartland, 

Brann,  Charles  P.,  Gardiner,  Brown,  William,  Newcastle, 

Christophers,  Christopher, Washburn,  Cross,  Charles  E.,  Waterville, 


Davis,  Charles  F.,  Gardiner, 
Gardiner,  George  W.,  Gardiner, 
Gray,  Enoch  P.,  Lovell, 

Hilton,  Smith,  Lewiston, 

Kingdon,  John,  Maysville, 

Leavitt,  James,  Patten, 

McCollum,  John,  Ellsworth, 
McGrath,  Charles  E.,  Brownfield, 
Murphy,  Jeremiah,  Augusta, 
Roberts,  Matthew,  Lewiston, 
Sawyer,  John  L.,  Passadumkeag, 
Spear,  Nahum,  Gardiner, 
Waterhouse,  John  W.,  Farmingdale. 


Dodge,  Frank,  Newcastle, 
Gowell,  John  B.,  Calais, 

Hathom,  Charles,  Veazie, 
Jennings,  Rollin  F.,  Leeds, 

Lane,  Newman  B.,  Augusta, 
Little,  Arno,  Vienna, 

McGinley,  John,  Biddeford, 
McKeen,  John  H.,  Patten, 

Priest,  James  S.,  Vassalboro, 
Savage,  William  K.,  Gardiner, 
Smith,  Charles,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
Turner,  Henry,  Rome, 


On  Detached  Service. 

Privates:  Gleason,  George  R.,  Thomaston;  Oliver,  Joseph,  Thomas- 
ton; in  Hospital  Dept.  Art.  Brigade. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

Sergeant:  Thomas  E.  Barry,  wounded  July  ist. 

Corporal:  James  Ward,  Pennsylvania,  wounded  July  ist. 

privates. 

Knowles,  Joseph  P.,  wounded  July  ist. 

Orbeton,  William  N.,  wounded  July  ist. 

Thorndike,  Richard  N.,  wounded  July  ist. 

Ulmer,  Frederick  H.,  killed  July  ist;  reported  missing  or  prisoner. 

Detached  Men  of  Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment, 
Serving  with  the  Battery, 
privates. 

Brann,  Charles  P.,  Co.  B,  wounded  July  ist. 

Hathom,  Charles,  Co.  H,  wounded  July  ist. 

McGinley,  John,  Co.  H,  wounded  July  ist. 

Smith,  Charles,  Pennsylvania,  Co.  D,  wounded  July  ist. 


26 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Note  concerning  the  foregoing  report  of  casualties. 

Captain  Hall  in  his  official  report  states  that  eighteen  men 
were  wounded.  An  explanation  between  his  report  and  the 
above  will  be  found  in  the  fact  that  those  who  were  wounded 
slightly  returned  to  duty,  and  their  names  do  not  thus  appear 
in  the  official  reports  subsequently  returned  to  the  adjutant 
general. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  SECOND  MAINE  BATTERY. 


COMPILED  BY  CHARLES  HAMLIN 


FROM  OFFICIAL  AND  OTHER  SOURCES. 


This  battery  was  raised  at  large,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  November  30,  1861,  organized  as  follows  : 


Captain:  Davis  Tillson,  Rockland. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANTS. 

James  A.  Hall,  Damariscotta,  Samuel  Paine,  Portland. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANTS. 

Samuel  Fessenden,  Portland,  William  A.  Perry,  Rockland. 


William  P.  Simonton,  Camden, 
William  N.  Ulmer,  Rockland, 
Benjamin  Kirkpatrick,  Rockland, 
John  Montgomery,  Boothbay, 


SERGEANTS. 

Albert  F.  Thomas,  Thomaston, 
Benjamin  F.  Carr,  Thomaston, 
Homer  Richmond,  Warren, 
Charles  D.  Jones,  Waldoboro. 


CORPORALS. 

William  Brown,  Deer  Isle,  Lewis  L.  Smith,  Rockland, 

Monroe  Durgin,  Thomaston,  Thomas  E.  Barry,  Cape  Elizabeth, 

Charles  E.  Stubbs,  New  Gloucester,  Thatcher  Burbank,  Strong, 
Charles  H.  Gloyd,  Thomaston,  Charles  L.  Fletcher,  Rockport, 
Calvin  P.  Lincoln,  Searsmont,  Asia  F.  Arnold,  Damariscotta, 

Timothy  F.  Goudy,  Bristol,  Samuel  Wier,  Rockland. 

MUSICIANS. 

Alexander  Burgess,  Warren,  Ezekiel  F.  Demuth,  Thomaston. 

ARTIFICERS. 

William  Russell,  Camden,  James  E.  Thorndike,  Rockland, 

Percy  Montgomery,  Rockland,  Anson  Hewett,  Rockland. 

James  H.  Seely,  Strong, 

Wagoner:  Isaac  Young,  Damariscotta. 


hall's  battery  historical  sketch. 


27 


BATTLES. 

1862.  Cross  Keys,  June  8;  Cedar  Mountain,  August  9;  Rappahannock 
Station,  August  21,  22,  23;  Thoroughfare  Gap,  August  29;  Second  Bull  Run, 
August  30;  Chantilly,  September  1;  Fredericksburg,  December  13. 

1863.  Chancellorsville,  May  1-6;  Gettysburg,  July  1,  2,  3. 

1864.  Wilderness,  May  6;  Spotsylvania,  May  10-17;  North  Anna,  May 
24,  25;  Bethesda  Church,  June  1,  2,  3;  Cold  Harbor,  June  12;  Petersburg, 
June  17-30;  July  30  (550  rounds  this  day). 

SKIRMISHES. 

1862.  Strasburg,  June  1;  Woodstock,  June  2;  Mount  Jackson,  June  4; 
New  Market,  June  5;  Harrisburg,  June  6;  Port  Republic,  June  9. 

The  battery  was  organized  in  the  winter  of  1861—62  ; the 
first  squad  being  mustered  at  Augusta  for  three  years,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1861,  and  on  December  14th  and  28th  others  were 
mustered  in  ; and  from  that  time  to  March  28,  1862,  the  ranks 
were  being  filled  and  the  battery  drilled  by  its  captain.  Later 
they  went  to  Portland,  where  the  battery  remained  stationed 
at  Fort  Preble  until  April  2d,  when  it  left  for  Washington, 
and  went  into  camp  on  Capitol  Hill  to  prepare  for  active  ser- 
vice in  the  field.  April  22d  Captain  Tillson  was  promoted  to 
Major  of  Maine  Light  Artillery,  and  assigned  as  chief  of 
artillery  to  Ord’s  (afterwards  Ricketts’)  division.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Captain  Hall,  who  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy 
of  the  battery. 

April  25th  the  battery,  equipped  with  six  3-inch  ordnance 
guns,  took  up  its  line  of  march,  and  four  days  after  arrived  at 
Manassas.  From  thence  it  went  to  Front  Royal,  Cross  Keys, 
and  Port  Republic  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  Its  first  engage- 
ment was  at  Cross  Keys.  On  June  1st  the  right  and  left 
sections  of  the  battery  were  sent  forward  to  report  to  General 
Bayard,  then  on  the  road  to  Strasburg.  On  the  16th  the 
detached  portion  returned  to  Front  Royal,  after  which  the 
army  fell  back  and  the  battery  encamped  at  Manassas,  where 
it  remained  until  the  5th  of  July.  On  that  day  it  took  up  its 
line  of  march  and,  passing  through  Buckland  and  New  Balti- 
more, it  arrived  at  Warrenton  on  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day. 

On  July  20th  Lieutenant  Fessenden  was  appointed  aide- 
de-camp  on  the  staff  of  General  Tower.  Three  days  after, 
the  battery  moved  and  went  to  Waterloo,  where  it  remained 


28 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


encamped  until  August  5th,  when  it  went  to  Culpeper  Court 
House.  Four  days  after,  the  battery  engaged  the  enemy  five 
miles  beyond  Culpeper,  at  Cedar  Mountain,  for  about  half  an 
hour  and  silenced  their  batteries.  During  this  battle  at  Cedar 
Mountain  the  battery  came  up  gallantly  to  the  fire,  and  opened 
upon  the  flank  of  the  rebel  camp  near  morning.  The  principal 
engagement  with  the  enemy  here  was  in  a midnight  attack 
August  9th.  The  splendid  service  of  the  battery  was  evidenced 
the  next  morning  by  the  enemy’s  losses  seen  in  front  of  its 
position.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  engagements  with  the 
enemy  in  the  Pope  campaign.  On  the  fifteenth  the  battery 
moved  from  its  encampment,  at  Cedar  Mountain,  and  after 
marching  eight  or  nine  miles,  went  into  camp  on  the  plantation 
formerly  owned  by  the  rebel  general  Ewell.  Two  days  later 
it  marched  to  Mitchell’s  Station,  on  the  Rapidan  River.  The 
bridges  across  this  river  having  been  destroyed,  the  Battery 
proceeded  to  the  Rappahannock  River,  where  August  21st  it 
engaged  the  enemy  all  day,  holding  its  position  until  the  twen- 
ty-third, when  it  was  sent  to  guard  a bridge  which  was  burned 
by  our  army  before  its  retreat.  August  2 2d  the  battery  was 
reinforced  by  thirteen  recruits.  These  recuits  were  enlisted  by 
Lieut.  W.  N.  Ulmer,  who  was  sent  to  Maine  for  that  purpose. 
They  were  mustered  at  Augusta,  August  16th,  and  sent  to  the 
front  as  fast  as  steam  could  take  them.  One  of  their  survivors, 
R.  Fred  Crie,  speaks  thus  of  this  incident:  "We  were  wel- 
comed as  'raw  recruits’  and  provided  with  coffee  and  hard  tack. 
Then  each  was  assigned  to  his  future  place  in  the  ranks,  and 
given  the  best  possible  place  for  a night’s  rest.  You  know  by 
experience  what  the  bed  was  and  how  far  it  was  from  the  floor 
to  the  ceiling  of  our  new  apartment,  as  the  only  thing  to  be 
seen  above  us  was  the  stars,  and  beneath  us,  mother  earth. 
We  had  heard  that  a soldier’s  duty  was  to  obey  orders  and  that 
we  did.  Before  we  had  taken  rations  the  next  morning,  the 
' J ohnnies  ’ sent  their  compliments  over  to  us  and  we  were  not 
slow  to  reply ; and  for  a few  hours  the  artillery  duel  went  on, 
our  loss  being  two  horses  killed.” 

The  battery  having  proceeded  to  Thoroughfare  Gap,  it 
engaged  the  enemy  on  the  twenty-ninth,  having  one  piece  dis- 


hall’s  battery  historical  sketch. 


29 


abled.  On  the  thirtieth  it  engaged  the  enemy  on  the  old  battle- 
field of  Bull  Run,  where  it  took  an  active  part.  In  this  fight 
Lieut.  Samuel  Fessenden  lost  his  life,  two  men  were  wounded 
and  one  missing  — probably  killed  in  action.  Lieutenant  Fes- 
senden, acting  as  aide-de-camp  to  General  Tower,  was  mortally 
wounded  the  afternoon  of  August  30th,  having  his  horse  killed 
under  him  at  the  same  instant,  while  in  the  advance  of  his 
command  in  immediate  proximity  to  the  enemy,  and  leading  a 
regiment  of  his  brigade  under  a murderous  fire  of  musketry 
into  close  action,  during  one  of  the  most  critical  and  sanguinary 
periods  of  the  disastrous  engagements  of  that  day.  He  died 
September  1st  at  Centreville. 

From  an  unpublished  paper  by  Brevet  Maj.  A.  B.  Twitchell, 
vTho  was  at  the  time  mentioned  connected  with  the  Fifth  Maine 
Battery  (Leppien’s),  we  extract  the  following  to  show  the 
desperate  situation  and  hot  work  : 

“The  Fifth  Battery  on  the  afternoon  of  August  30th  followed  Tower’s 
brigade  towards  Bald  Hill  and  went  into  position  some  considerable  dis- 
tance in  rear  and  a little  to  the  right  of  the  hill,  and  the  battery  opened  fire 
leisurely  to  get  range  of  the  enemy’s  position.  Very  shortly  we  became 
aware  of  the  seriousness  of  the  engagement  on  our  left  and  at  Bald  Hill; 
Tower’s  troops  seemed  to  be  yielding;  a battery  that  had  been  in  position 
at  the  hill  limbered  up  and  went  to  the  rear,  and  immediately  thereafter 
Maj.  Davis  Tillson,  Chief  of  Artillery,  galloped  up  to  our  battery  and  gave 
the  order:  ‘Limber  up  and  follow  me!’  and  we  complied  in  hot  haste. 
As  we  moved  rapidly  to  the  front  he  ordered  us  into  position  at  Bald  Hill,  a 
little  to  the  front  and  left  of  Tower’s  troops.  We  succeeded  in  placing  our 
guns  in  position  and  attempted  to  open  fire,  but  it  was  an  abortive  attempt, 
as  the  Confederate  infantry  were  already  close  upon  us,  firing  as  they 
advanced,  shooting  down  our  cannoneers  and  horses  in  a moment  and  tak- 
ing possession  of  our  guns  (all  but  one).” 

The  next  engagement  was  at  Chantilly,  September  1st, 
after  which  the  battery  was  ordered  to  turn  over  its  guns  and 
horses  to  Capt.  James  Thompson,  battery  C,  Penn,  artillery, 
and  proceed  to  Washington  for  a new  outfit. 

Arriving  in  Washington  on  September  11th,  the  battery 
remained  in  the  defenses  of  that  city  until  October  13th,  when 
it  crossed  over  into  Maryland  and  marched  to  Sharpsburg. 
During  its  stay  in  'Washington,  the  battery  received  a new 
supply  of  guns,  horses,  and  equipments,  also  a few  recruits. 
It  arrived  at  the  front  during  the  battle  of  Antietam,  but  did 


30 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


not  reach  that  battlefield  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battle. 
Remaining  at  Sharpsburg  about  a week,  it  then  moved  again 
into  Virginia,  going  into  camp  at  Brook  Station,  November 
23d,  after  having  been  on  the  move  nearly  four  weeks. 
Here  a detail  of  about  thirty  men  from  the  Sixteenth  Maine 
Regiment  joined  the  battery,  which  by  sickness  and  otherwise 
had  lost  a number  of  its  men.  These  men  proved  to  be  of  the 
best  quality ; two  of  whom  were  killed  and  many  wounded. 
After  a year’s  service  with  this  battery  the  remnant  of  this 
detail  was  transferred  permanently  to  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery. 

On  the  9th  of  December  it  took  up  the  line  of  march  in  the 
movement  upon  Fredericksburg  under  General  Burnside.  It 
took  its  first  position  on  the  north  side  of  the  Rappahannock 
River  under  direction  of  Captain  De  Russy,  U.  S.  A.  On  the 
night  of  the  eleventh  it  fired  a few  shots  at  the  enemy,  and 
the  next  day  crossed  the  river. 

On  the  following  day,  December  13th,  on  which  the  crisis 
of  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  took  place,  the  battery  was 
ordered  into  position  at  nine  o’clock  in  the  forenoon  in  a 
cornfield  on  the  south  side  of  the  pike  road,  and  on  the  left  of 
General  Gibbon’s  division  to  support  its  left  flank,  where 
it  opened  fire  upon  a rebel  battery,  sixteen  hundred  yards 
diagonally  on  the  right  flank,  which  was  playing  on  it,  and 
which  soon  turned  its  fire  in  another  direction.  As  the  heavy 
mist  which  hung  over  the  battlefield  cleared  away,  Captain 
Hall  found  he  was  exposed  to  a cross-fire  from  a battery  of 
the  enemy,  seven  hundred  yards  directly  on  his  left  flank, 
which  opened  with  a well-directed  and  rapid  fire  of  solid  shot, 
that  was  very  galling.  The  battery  maintained  its  position 
nearly  thirty  minutes,  when,  by  order  of  General  Gibbon, 
Captain  Hall  sent  his  caissons  back  across  the  road  under 
cover ; not  however  until  a limber  chest  of  one  of  them  was 
blown  up.  The  guns  were  kept  in  position,  firing  only  occa- 
sionally into  the  woods,  until  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon, 
when  the  battery  commenced  shelling  the  woods  in  their  front, 
where  our  infantry  were  about  to  advance.  On  the  advance  of 
General  Gibbon’s  line  the  battery  was  posted  within  two 
hundred  yards  of  the  woods,  into  which  they  directed  a rapid 


hall’s  battery  historical  sketch. 


31 


lire  of  shell,  which  was  continued  until  Gibbon’s  division  fell 
back,  retiring  some  distance  in  the  rear.  Captain  Hall  now 
discovered  a body  of  the  enemy  advancing  from  the  woods  in 
front  of  his  left,  upon  which  at  a distance  of  two  hundred 
yards  he  opened  with  case  shot  and  canister,  cutting  down 
men  and  colors,  until  his  last  round  was  expended,  when  he 
was  obliged  to  retire.  On  the  morning  of  the  fourteenth  the 
Battery  took  a position  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line  assigned 
by  General  Reynolds’  chief  of  artillery.  Late  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  fifteenth  it  recrossed  the  river  and  took  position 
on  the  heights,  covering  the  bridge  over  which  General  Frank- 
lin’s troops  were  crossing.  The  casualties  during  the  battle 
were  two  men  killed,  fourteen  wounded ; twenty-five  horses 
killed  and  six  wounded.  In  this  hard-fought  and  severe  battle 
the  survivors  of  this  battery  claim  to  have  blown  up  one  of 
the  enemy’s  caissons  and  to  have  completely  silenced  the  bat- 
tery to  which  it  belonged.  The  battery  occupied,  as  will  easily 
be  seen,  a most  trying  position.  A charge  was  made  by  the 
enemy  against  the  battery  across  the  field  from  the  woods  at 
the  foot  of  the  heights  in  front  of  the  battery.  They  came  on 
with  a determination  to  take  the  battery,  but  in  this  they  were 
mistaken,  though  they  succeeded  in  shooting  the  horses  of  the 
left  gun  of  the  left  section  ; but  a counter  charge  by  the  infantry 
supporting  the  battery  drove  the  enemy  back  and  the  gun  was 
replaced  in  its  former  position.  The  battery  expended  1,100 
rounds  of  ammunition  in  this  battle,  which  is  known  as  the 
Fredericksburg  campaign  under  Burnside. 

Under  cover  of  the  darkness  during  Monday  night,  the  fif- 
teenth, it  silently  recrossed  the  river  and  not  long  after  went 
into  temporary  winter  quarters  at  Fletcher’s  Chapel,  where  it 
drew  a supply  of  horses  to  replace  those  killed  in  battle,  and 
also  received  a detail  of  men  from  the  136th  Pa.  Regiment. 
The  next  movement  was  what  is  called  "Burnside’s  mud 
march.”  The  survivor  before  quoted  says  of  this  move  : "No 
doubt  we  did  our  part  of  the  growling,  as  we  tried  to  keep 
from  freezing  during  the  storms  by  getting  so  near  our  camp 
fires  as  to  scorch  our  clothes  and  curl  our  cap  visors.  Well, 
we  got  back  into  the  camp  and  voted  this  move  a failure.” 


32 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  battery  sustained  an  untarnished  reputation  for  promptness, 
discipline,  and  courage  during  all  these  campaigns. 

In  the  reorganization  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  under 
General  Hooker,  who  had  succeeded  General  Burnside,  the 
battery  was  assigned  to  the  Artillery  Brigade  of  the  First 
Corps.  Col.  C.  S.  Wainwright  was  chief  of  artillery  of  this 
corps  commanded  by  General  Reynolds. 

On  the  3d  of  May  it  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Chancellors- 
ville,  holding  the  extreme  right  of  the  lines  of  the  army,  and 
making  a reconnoissance  the  next  day  with  General  Robinson 
towards  Ely’s  Ford,  where  they  had  a short  but  brisk  fight. 
After  the  battle  it  went  into  camp  near  White  Oak  Church. 

On  the  12th  of  June  commenced  the  Pennsylvania  cam- 
paign. Broke  camp  and  marched  northward,  crossing  the 
Potomac  on  the  twenty-third  and  keeping  in  the  advance  until 
on  the  morning  of  July  1st  it  engaged  the  enemy  about  two 
miles  beyond  Gettysburg,  on  the  westerly  side  of  the  town,  in 
conjunction  with  the  First  Division  of  the  First  Army  Corps. 
The  march  for  that  day  had  been  so  arranged  that  it  was  nearly 
two  hours  after  it  became  engaged  before  other  batteries  arrived, 
during  which  time  its  guns  were  under  a heavy  fire  of  artillery, 
which  they  were  gradually  silencing  when  they  were  charged  by 
the  enemy’s  infantry  in  column.  This  charge  they  repulsed,  but 
their  infantry  support  failing  them  they  were  left  with  their 
right  flank  exposed  to  the  sharpshooters  who  had  taken  cover 
in  a ravine,  and  were  obliged  to  retire,  when  the  rebel  infantry 
rallied,  and  a hand-to-hand  encounter  took  place  over  two  of 
the  guns,  the  combatants  mingling  together  in  their  struggle 
for  the  prize.  The  guns  were  all  brought  safely  off.  Later 
in  the  day,  being  so  reduced  in  men  and  horses,  and  the  gun 
carriages  having  been  smashed,  but  three  pieces  could  be 
manoeuvred,  which  were  the  first  placed  in  position  in  the 
graveyard  on  Cemetery  Hill,  sweeping  the  road  leading  up 
through  the  town  where  the  enemy  were  advancing.  On  the 
second  day  they  fought  the  enemy’s  artillery  from  this  position 
with  great  success.  Near  night  of  the  second  day  the  battery, 
having  been  relieved  by  another  one,  was  ordered  into  the 
reserve,  where  it  remained  through  the  third  day. 


hall’s  battery  historical  sketch. 


33 


Returning  to  Virginia  through  Maryland,  following  General 
Lee’s  retreat  from  Gettysburg,  the  Battery,  August  2d,  went 
into  camp  at  Kelly’s  Ford,  where  it  remained  until  September 
16th,  then  marching  near  to  Culpeper  and  thence  to  the  Rapi- 
dan  River.  Later  in  the  fall  the  batter}'  was  ordered  into 
Camp  Barry,  artillery  depot,  Washington,  where  it  arrived 
on  the  8th  of  November. 

Soon  after  the  Gettysburg  campaign  Captain  Hall,  having- 
been  promoted  to  Major  of  Maine  Light  Artillery,  was  placed 
in  command  of  Camp  Barry  under  Gen.  A.  P.  Howe,  an  artil- 
lerist of  the  regular  army  and  who  had  commanded  previously 
a division  in  the  Sixth  Army  Corps.  Lieut.  W.  N.  Ulmer, 
having  been  promoted  to  Captain  in  the  meantime,  resigned 
November  18th  and  Lieut.  Albert  F.  Thomas  became  the  Cap- 
tain of  the  battery.  During  the  remainder  of  the  year  and 
until  April  25,  1864,  the  battery  remained  at  Camp  Barry, 
recruiting  and  refitting  for  the  field.  Under  the  immediate 
command  of  Captain  Thomas,  seconded  and  aided  by  Major 
Hall,  the  battery  was  brought  to  a very  creditable  condition  of 
drill  and  discipline.  The  battery  having  been  assigned  to  the 
Ninth  Army  Corps,  under  General  Burnside,  left  Camp  Barry 
April  25,  1864,  to  join  in  the  1864  campaign  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  under  General  Grant.  On  this  last  named  day  it 
marched  to  Alexandria,  thence  to  Fairfax  Court  House,  Bristoe 
Station,  Warrenton  Junction,  and  Bealeton  Station,  at  which 
place  it  remained  in  camp  until  May  4th,  when  they  marched 
to  Germanna  Ford,  on  the  Rapidan  River,  crossing  the  river 
the  next  day  and  taking  position  on  the  south  bank.  May  6th 
it  marched  to  the  left  about  one  mile  and  again  went  into  posi- 
tion ; on  the  seventh,  in  compliance  with  orders,  joined  the 
division  of  the  Ninth  Corps  on  the  Brock  Road ; on  the  ninth, 
reached  St.  Mary’s  bridge  on  the  Ny  River ; on  the  tenth  and 
eleventh,  engaged  the  enemy  about  four  miles  from  Spot- 
sylvania Court  House  ; on  the  twelfth,  participated  in  a severe 
engagement  with  the  enemy,  in  which  two  guns  were  disabled, 
two  men  wounded,  and  one  horse  killed ; on  the  thirteenth, 
remained  in  position ; on  the  fourteenth,  engaged  the  enemy 
for  about  three  hours  ; on  the  seventeenth,  erected  earthworks  ; 


34 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


on  the  eighteenth,  again  fought  the  enemy  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  day ; on  the  twenty-eighth,  moved  in  the  direction 
of  the  Pamunkey,  which  it  crossed  and  encamped ; on  the 
twenty-ninth,  marched  three  miles  toward  the  front  and  halted 
in  line  of  battle ; and  on  the  thirtieth  marched  and  took  posi- 
tion on  the  right. 

On  June  1st  the  battery  engaged  the  enemy  about  five  miles 
south  of  the  Pamunkey ; on  the  second,  marched  two  miles  to 
the  right  and  went  into  position ; on  the  third,  engaged  the 
enemy  at  short  intervals ; on  the  fifth,  took  position  in  a new 
line  of  battle  then  forming  near  Cold  Harbor,  remaining  until 
the  twelfth  when  the  battery  marched  in  the  direction  of  the 
White  House,  on  the  Chickahominy,  crossing  the  James  River  at 
Wilcox  Landing  on  the  fifteenth,  and  on  the  sixteenth  marched 
towards  Petersburg,  encamping  within  three  miles  of  the  city ; 
on  the  seventeenth  marched  to  the  front  and  took  position  in 
the  line  of  battle  then  forming  in  front  of  Petersburg ; on  the 
twentieth  changed  position  to  relieve  the  27th  N.  Y.  Battery. 

The  battery  being  relieved  by  the  11th  Mass,  on  the  fifth 
of  July,  moved  on  the  sixth  two  miles  to  the  rear  and  went 
into  camp,  remaining  until  the  twenty-fourth,  when  its  guns 
were  ordered  into  position ; and  on  the  twenty-sixth  had  a 
short  engagement  with  the  enemy.  It  remained  in  position 
in  front  of  Petersburg  at  this  time  from  July  24th  to  the 
31st.  At  daylight  on  July  30th  it  opened  fire  on  the  enemy’s 
works,  keeping  up  a brisk  fire  nearly  all  day  and  firing  550 
rounds, — this  being  the  occasion  of  the  explosion  of  the  mine. 
On  September  17th  the  battery  was  ordered  to  report  to  Colonel 
Gates  at  City  Point,  Va.,  where  it  went  into  position  in  the 
fort  on  the  left  of  the  road  leading  to  Petersburg,  and  where  it 
remained  until  the  13th  of  October,  when  it  moved  about  two 
miles  to  the  front,  occupying  the  outer  defenses  of  City  Point. 
This  battery  did  not  participate  in  any  subsequent  engagements. 

During  Grant’s  campaign  Lieutenant  Carr,  one  sergeant, 
and  two  privates  were  wounded  at  Spotsylvania;  June  25th 
one  man  was  killed  and  one  wounded.  Private  Thomas  F. 
Simpson  was  mortally  wounded  by  a sharpshooter  on  June 
30th.  Six  men  were  wounded  and  some  horses  were  lost 


ROSTER  OF  SECOND  MAINE  BATTERY. 


35 


between  June  25th  and  July  5th.  Lieutenant  Montgomery 
was  discharged  for  disability  June  18th,  leaving  the  Battery 
with  only  two  officers  present  for  duty ; but  on  June  30th  Ser- 
geant Reed  was  promoted  and  mustered  Second  Lieutenant. 
Lieutenant  Perry  was  on  the  staff  of  General  Tillson. 

On  the  3d  of  May,  1865,  orders  were  received  to  march 
for  Alexandria  via  Fredericksburg  and  Fairfax.  On  the  thirty- 
first  of  the  same  month  the  battery  was  further  ordered  to 
proceed  to  Augusta,  Maine,  where  it  arrived  on  the  6th  of 
June,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  June  16,  1865. 

Lieut.  Charles  E.  Stubbs  was  promoted  Captain,  succeed- 
ing Capt.  Albert  F.  Thomas,  who  had  resigned ; and  Lieut. 
Anthony  N.  Greely  commanded  the  battery  after  Lee’s  sur- 
render until  mustered  out,  Captain  Stubbs  in  the  meantime 
being  absent  on  leave. 

Major  Hall  remained  on  duty  at  the  artillery  depot,  Camp 
Barry,  Washington,  during  the  remainder  of  the  war.  His 
commission  as  Major  bears  date  June  23,  1863.  On  Septem- 
ber 9,  1864,  he  was  promoted  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  on 
March  7,  1865,  he  was  breveted  Brigadier-General. 

The  last  promotions  in  the  battery  were  those  of  Anthony 
X.  Greely,  May  8,  1865,  and  Asia  F.  Arnold,  May  24,  1865, 
to  be  First  Lieutenants. 


ROSTER  OF  SECOND  MAINE  BATTERY. 


CAPTAINS. 


Date  of  Commission. 

c Name. 

Remarks. 

Nov.  29,  1861, 

Davis  Tillson,  j 

f promoted  Major  and  Lieut.-Col. 

First  Regt.  Maine  Mtd.  Artillery 
[and  Brig.-Gen’l  of  Vols. 

June  3,  1862, 

James  A.  Hall,  j 

f promoted  Major  and  Lieut.-Col. 
and  brevet  Brig.-Gen’l  to  date 
[ March  7,  1865. 

Aug.  15,  1863, 

William  N.  Ulmer, 

resigned  Nov.  18,  1863. 

Dec.  1,  1863, 

Albert  F.  Thomas, 

discharged  Jan.  22,  1865. 

Jan.  31,  1865, 

Charles  E.  Stubbs, 

mustered  out  June  16,  1865. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANTS. 

Nov.  29,  1861, 

James  A.  Hall, 

promoted  Captain. 

Nov.  30,  1861, 

Samuel  Paine, 

resigned  March  7,  1863. 

June  3,  1862, 

Samuel  Fessenden,  -j 

f died  Sept.  1,  1862,  of  wounds 
L received  in  battle  Aug.  30th. 

36 

Oct.  17,  1862, 
Mar.  26,  1863, 
Aug.  15,  1863, 
Dec.  1,  1863, 
Jan.  11,  1865, 
Jan.  31,  1865, 
May  8,  1865, 
May  24,  1865, 


Nov.  30,  1861, 
Nov.  29,  1861, 
June  3,  1862, 
Oct.  17,  1862, 
March  26,  1863, 
Aug.  15,  1863, 
Dec.  1,  1863, 
Jan.  25,  1864, 
Jan.  11,  1865, 
Jan.  31,  1865, 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


William  A.  Perry, 
William  N.  Ulmer, 
Albert  F.  Thomas, 
Benjamin  F.  Carr, 
Charles  E.  Stubbs, 
Austin  Reed, 
Anthony  N.  Greely, 
Asia  F.  Arnold, 


. . t 

discharged  May  13,  1865. 
promoted  Captain, 
promoted  Captain, 
discharged  Feb.  7,  1865. 
promoted  Captain, 
discharged  May  1,  1865. 
mustered  out  June  16,  1865. 
mustered  out  June  16,  1865. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANTS. 


Samuel  Fessenden, 
William  A.  Perry, 
William  N.  Ulmer, 
Albert  F.  Thomas, 
Benjamin  F.  Carr, 
John  Montgomery, 
Charles  E.  Stubbs, 
Austin  Reed, 
Anthony  N.  Greely, 
Asia  F.  Arnold, 


promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
resigned  July  18,  1864. 
promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
promoted  First  Lieutenant, 
promoted  First  Lieutenant. 


SIXTEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 


37 


MONUMENT. 

The  monument  of  the  Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment,  a simple  granite 
obelisk  twenty-four  feet  high,  stands  on  Seminary  Ridge  north  of  the 
Chambersburg  Pike,  on  the  ground  where  the  regiment  fought  for  nearly 
three  hours  in  the  afternoon  before  it  was  ordered  up  to  the  Mummasburg 
Road,  and  where  it  met  with  its  principal  loss  in  killed  and  wounded. 
Upon  one  face  of  the  obelisk  is  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  State  of  Maine,  upon 
another  draped  flags,  and  upon  a third  side  the  badge  of  the  First  Corps 
with  this  inscription: 


16th  Me.  Inf’y. 

1st  Brig.  2d.  Div. 

1st  Corps. 

July  1st,  1863  fought  here 

FROM  1 O’CLOCK  UNTIL  4 P.  M. 
WHEN  THE  DIVISION  WAS  FORCED 
TO  RETIRE,  BY  COMMAND  OF 
GEN.  ROBINSON  TO  COL.  TILDEN 
THE  REGIMENT  WAS  MOVED  TO 
THE  RIGHT,  NEAR  THE  MUMMAS- 
BURG ROAD,  AS  INDICATED  BY 
A MARKER  THERE,  WITH  ORDERS 
"TO  HOLD  THE  POSITION  AT 
ANY  COST.” 

July  2d  & 3d  in  position  with 

THE  DIVISION  ON  CEMETERY  HILL 

Casualties. 

Killed  2 Officers,  9 Men 
Wounded  8 “ 54  “ 

Captured  11  “ 148  “ 

Strength  of  Regiment 
25  Officers,  250  Men. 


SIXTEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

FIRST  BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVISION,  FIRST  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


FROM  10  to  11.30  o’clock  on  the  forenoon  of  this  first  day 
of  July,  while  Hall’s  Second  Maine  Battery  was  having  its 
perilous  experience  at  its  position  north  of  the  Chambers- 
burg  Pike,  the  battle  was  sustained  by  Wadsworth’s  division 
alone.  Meredith’s  brigade,  extending  between  the  Hagerstown 
Road  and  the  Chambersburg  Pike,  had  succeeded  in  worsting 
the  Confederate  brigade  of  General  Archer,  which  had  utterly 
failed  to  establish  itself  on  the  eastern  bank  of  Willoughby 
Run,  capturing  Archer  with  part  of  his  command.  North  of 
the  Chambersburg  Pike  the  fortunes  of  the  forenoon  had  been 
less  favorable.  Hall’s  battery  had  been  left  unsupported  and 
in  great  peril  by  the  breaking  of  the  line  which  should  have 
held  back  Davis’  Confederate  brigade.  But  prompt  action  had 
checked  Davis  and  re-established  the  Union  line,  so  that  at 
11.30  Wadsworth’s  men  were  still  holding  the  line  which  they 
had  received  from  Buford  in  the  morning. 

At  this  hour  the  two  other  divisions  of  the  First  Corps, 
under  Generals  Rowley  and  Robinson,  arrived  from  Emmits- 
burg.  General  Rowley’s  men  were  distributed  to  strengthen 
the  line  already  formed.  General  Robinson’s  division  took 
position  in  reserve  around  the  seminary,  fortifying  itself  with 
hastily-dug  trenches.  With  this  division,  in  General  Paul’s 
brigade,  was  the  Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment,  under  Col.  Charles 
W.  Tilden.  Men  and  officers,  the  regiment  numbered  about 
two  hundred  and  seventy-five,  remaining  with  the  colors,  of 
one  thousand  strong  who  left  Maine  on  the  19th  of  August, 
1862.  In  the  preceding  campaigns  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac 
the  regiment  had  seen  arduous  service ; but  it  had  never 
made  a march  so  difficult  as  the  march  up  to  Gettysburg. 
From  White  Oak  Church,  in  Virginia,  whence  it  had  moved 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


39 


on  the  12th  of  June,  the  regiment  had  marched  by  way  of 
Bealeton  Station,  Bristoe  Station,  and  Centreville  Heights  to 
Middletown,  Md.,  where  it  was  assigned  to  picket  duty  on 
the  afternoon  of  June  27th.  The  army  was  hurrying  north- 
ward in  pursuit  of  Lee.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  twenty-eighth 
the  Sixteenth  was  ordered  on  the  hardest  forced  march  they 
had  ever  made.  As  the  column  pressed  northward  through 
the  long  hours  of  a damp  and  foggy  night,  many  of  the  men 
became  so  exhausted  that  they  would  fall  to  the  ground  the 
instant  the  word  was  given  for  a brief  halt.  At  about  2 a.  m. 
of  the  twenty-ninth  it  reached  Frederick  City,  where  it  rejoined 
the  brigade.  Resuming  the  forced  march  at  5 o’clock  a.  m.,  it 
pushed  on  all  day,  passing  through  Emmitsburg  at  6 p.  M.,  and 
camped  near  the  town.  Every  man  knew  that  some  great 
action  was  pending.  As  they  had  moved  northward  rumors 
came  through  every  mountain  gap  that  in  the  valley  beyond 
Lee  was  marching  towards  Harrisburg  and  the  north.  In 
twenty-five  hours  the  regiment  had  marched  forty  miles, 
encumbered  with  all  the  arms  and  accoutrements  of  the  sol- 
dier, and  over  muddy  roads  crowded  with  the  columns  of  the 
division.  More  fortunate  than  several  other  Maine  regiments 
which  moved  in  the  forced  marches  of  the  great  concentration 
at  Gettysburg,  the  Sixteenth  was  allowed  a breathing  space 
before  plunging  into  battle.  Encamping  at  Emmitsburg  dur- 
ing the  night  of  June  29th,  it  marched  on  the  next  morning 
only  two  miles  to  Marsh  Run  on  the  road  to  Gettysburg. 
There  it  encamped  during  the  day  and  night  of  June  30th. 

On  the  morning  of  July  1st  the  regiment  marched  towards 
Gettysburg.  Arriving  at  the  seminary,  which  is  upon  a slight 
ridge,  the  Sixteenth  occupied  the  oak-covered  campus  and 
there  threw  up  breast  works  about  west-southwest.  Reynolds 
had  been  killed  and  Doubleday  was  in  charge  of  the  field  at 
that  front ; three-fourths  of  a mile  westward,  down  by  the 
banks  of  Willoughby  Run,  the  men  of  Wadsworth’s  and 
Rowley’s  divisions  were  engaged  with  the  Confederates  of 
Heth’s  division.  At  the  same  time  heavy  Confederate  rein- 
forcements were  moving  down  by  the  northern  roads,  changing 
all  the  conditions  of  the  battle  and  forcing  the  commander  of 


40 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  First  Corps  to  summon  all  his  reserves  to  the  front.  About 

1 o’clock  p.  m.  the  Sixteenth  received  the  order  to  o-o  into  battle. 

© 

At  this  time  the  conditions  of  the  battle  had  changed  greatly 
from  what  they  were  when  studied  last  in  connection  with  the 
exploits  of  the  Second  Maine  Battery.  The  First  Corps  had 
been  reinforced  by  the  Eleventh  Corps  under  General  Howard, 
who  had  assumed  command  of  the  field  by  right  of  seniority. 
But  the  Confederates  had  at  the  same  time  received  still  heavier 
reinforcements,  which  were  appearing  not  only  from  the  west- 
ward along  the  Chambersburg  Pike,  but  also  from  the  north. 
Along  the  Mummasburg  and  Harrisburg  roads  the  heads  of 
columns  of  Ewell’s  corps,  which  had  been  recalled  in  haste 
from  Harrisburg,  were  approaching,  threatening  the  First 
Corps  line  in  right  flank  and  rear.  The  Eleventh  Corps  were 
hurried  into  position  between  the  Mummasburg  Road  and  the 
Harrisburg  Road  to  meet  Ewell’s  men,  while  the  First  Corps 
continued  to  face  Hill  on  the  west,  its  line  extending  from  the 
Hagerstown  Road  across  the  Chambersburg  Pike  to  the  Mum- 
masburg  Road.  The  extreme  right  of  this  line  was  formed  by 
Baxter’s  brigade  of  Robinson’s  division,  which  had  been  taken 
from  the  reserve  at  the  seminary.  Baxter  had  formed  on  the 
right  of  Cutler’s  men,  who  were  fighting  like  heroes  in  nearly 
the  same  place  where  they  had  met  their  reverse  of  the  morn- 
ing. Baxter  was  at  once  actively  engaged  with  the  right  of 
Rodes’  division  of  Ewell’s  corps.  Soon  it  became  necessary  to 
relieve  him,  and  Paul’s  brigade,  which  was  still  in  reserve  at 
the  seminary,  was  sent.  The  Sixteenth,  with  the  brigade, 
responded  to  the  order  at  once. 

The  regiment  moved  towards  the  northwest,  over  the  ridge 
upon  which  the  seminary  stands,  and,  going  about  a quarter  of 
a mile,  advanced  on  the  west  side  of  the  ridge  in  full  view  of 
the  enemy.  It  was  about  one  o’clock.  The  regiment  at  once 
deployed,  its  left  facing  nearly  west  while  its  right  was  swerved 
to  meet  a fire  from  a Confederate  battery  posted  on  Oak  Hill 
to  the  northwest.  The  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  officers 
and  men  of  the  Sixteenth  extended  a battle  line  about  four 
hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  were  at  once  made  the  target  of  a 
deadly  fire  from  the  enemy.  The  Colonel’s  horse  was  shot 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


41 


from  under  him,  Captain  Whitehouse  of  Company  K was 
killed  instantly,  Captain  Waldron  of  Company  I was  wounded, 
and  the  rank  and  file  suffered  severely.  For  three  hours,  as 
nearly  as  hours  could  be  measured  in  such  a conflict  (a) , this 
battle  was  maintained  with  the  superior  forces  which  the 
Confederate  General  Rodes  launched  against  this  portion  of 
the  First  Corps  line.  Finally  a bayonet  charge,  gallantly  par- 
ticipated in  by  the  Sixteenth,  cleared  the  Confederates  from 
the  immediate  front  of  this  part  of  the  line. 

This  success  was  merely  incidental  and  temporary,  however. 
The  battle  of  the  afternoon  had  been  going  sadly  against  the 
16,500  men  of  the  First  and  Eleventh  corps,  who  were  con- 
tending against  at  least  25,000  Confederates ; and  about  half- 
past three  o’clock  the  Eleventh  Corps  line  was  broken  and 
swept  back  to  the  town  in  disorder.  This  fatal  disaster  left 
the  rear  of  the  First  Corps  line  exposed ; and  that  portion  of 
it  north  of  the  Chambersburg  Pike  was  in  immediate  jeopardy. 
Paul’s  brigade,  being  upon  the  extreme  right  of  this  line,  was 
most  exposed  to  the  overwhelming  assaults  launched  by  Ewell 
upon  the  staggering  remnant  of  the  First  Corps. 

Already  the  First  Corps  had  prolonged  its  gallant  resistance 
beyond  the  limit  of  prudence ; and  it  could  be  saved  from 
destruction  only  by  heroic  sacrifices.  It  fell  to  the  lot  of  the 
Sixteenth  Maine  to  make  one  of  these  sacrifices.  In  the  last 
moments  of  the  defense  an  aide  of  General  Robinson  rode  up 
to  the  regiment  bearing  an  order  for  it  to  move  to  the  right 
along  the  ridge  and  take  position  by  the  Mummasburg  Road. 
Immediately  General  Robinson  himself  rode  up  and  repeated 
the  order.  The  Sixteenth  Maine  was  to  advance  alone  when 
brigades  and  divisions,  even  two  army  corps,  were  retiring ! 
Colonel  Tilden  stated  to  General  Robinson  the  strength  of  the 
enemy  and  expressed  the  opinion,  which  was  the  opinion  of 
every  beholder,  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  hold  the  position. 
"Take  the  position  and  hold  it  at  any  cost,”  was  the  answer  of 

(a)  This  is  the  length  of  time  recorded  on  the  monument.  It  corre- 
sponds with  General  Tilden’s  recollection.  Maj.  S.  C.  Belcher  judged  the 
time  to  be  two  hours  ai\d  a half.  The  reports  of  general  officers  show  that 
neither  of  these  estimates  is  far  out  of  the  way. 


42 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


General  Robinson  (a).  "You  know  what  that  means,”  was 
the  comment  of  the  Maine  Colonel  as  he  turned  to  his  brother 
officers  and  gave  the  command  to  move  forward. 

It  was  at  the  crisis  of  this  battle  of  July  1st  when  the  Six- 
teenth Maine  advanced.  The  lines  of  the  First  Corps,  until 
now  held  with  desperate  tenacity,  were  crumbling  before  the 
crushing  weight  of  superior  numbers.  Brigades  were  shrink- 
ing into  regiments  and  regiments  were  withering  into  compa- 
nies. It  was  an  hour  when  bands  of  brave  men  did  heroic 
things  which  have  been  obscured  in  history  by  the  turmoils  and 
confusion  of  the  general  agony  of  the  army  (b) . 


MARKER  OF  SIXTEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

A massive  granite  marker,  designating  the  final  position  of  the  Six- 
teenth Maine  Regiment,  stands  near  the  Mummasburg  Road  and  bears  the 
following  inscription: 

Position  Held  July  1,  1863, 
at  4 o’clock  p.  m.,  by  the 
16th  Maine  Ineantry, 

1st  Brig.  2nd  Div.  1st  Corps, 

AVHILE  THE  REST  OF  THE  DIVISION  WAS 
RETIRING,  THE  REGIMENT  HAVING  MOVED 
FROM  THE  POSITION  AT  THE  LEFT  WHERE 
ITS  MONUMENT  STANDS,  UNDER  ORDERS 
TO  HOLD  THIS  POSITION  AT  ANY  COST. 

It  LOST  ON  THIS  FIELD, 

KILLED  11,  WOUNDED  62,  CAPTURED  159 
OUT  OF  275  ENGAGED. 


(a)  The  exact  expression  of  General  Robinson  in  giving  this  remark- 
able order  was  “at  any  cost,”  as  is  well  remembered  by  General  Tilden, 
who  received  it. 

(b)  General  Paul,  commander  of  the  brigade,  was  shot  through  both 
eyes,  so  no  adequate  report  of  the  part  of  his  brigade  was  ever  made. 
Neither  the  division  commander  nor  the  corps  commander  mentioned  this 
action  of  the  Sixteenth. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


43 


It  was  about  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  when  the  Six- 
teenth Maine  was  ordered  to  advance  (a).  It  obeyed  at  once, 
and  took  position  in  line  of  battle  facing  the  Mummasburg 
Road.  On  the  left  and  rear  of  its  position  the  long  lines  of 
Hill’s  brigades,  so  often  repulsed  during  the  day,  were  advanc- 
ing for  their  final  and  successful  effort,  reinforced  by  the  fresh 
one  of  Ramseur.  And  as  the  soldiers  of  the  Sixteenth  anx- 
iously scanned  the  low  ground  which  stretches  for  a mile  north 
and  east  of  the  Mummasburg  Road,  they  saw  a heavy  column 
of  Ewell’s  infantry  move  across  their  front  to  deploy  against 
them.  But  when  they  turned  from  the  spectacle  of  the  hosts 
advancing  against  them  and  looked  anxiously  to  the  rear, 
whence  support  and  encouragement  should  be  expected,  they 
saw  only  the  retiring  columns  of  their  companions  in  arms.  It 
is  remembered  to  the  lasting  glory  of  the  officers  and  enlisted 
men  of  the  Sixteenth  that  in  this  bitter  moment  not  one  of 
them  wavered.  The  two  Confederate  lines  were  approaching 
steadily,  that  from  the  west  cutting  off  their  line  of  retreat, 
that  from  the  north  and  east  about  to  strike  them  in  front. 
The  volleys  of  the  little  regiment  detained  Ewell’s  line  not 
long.  In  a short  time,  perhaps  twenty  minutes  — no  one 
measured  time  then — the  enemy  were  upon  them  in  irresistible 
force.  As  Ewell’s  line  came  within  close  range,  the  regiment 
retired  gradually  along  the  ridge  until  it  reached  the  railroad 
cut  and  grade. 

In  this  last  stand  the  Sixteenth’s  forlorn  hope  ended  with  a 
deed  worthy  of  remembrance  among  the  gallant  deeds  crowded 
so  thickly  into  this  day  of  battle.  The  two  long  lines  of  gray 
were  closing  upon  the  handful  of  men  from  Maine.  The  anni- 
hilation of  the  regiment  as  an  organization  seemed  inevitable 
and  immediate.  Yet  in  that  moment  of  the  most  trying  expe- 
rience that  can  come  to  any  soldiers,  the  men  of  the  Sixteenth 
performed  an  act  which  may  convey  to  this  generation  some  of 
the  spirit  animating  the  volunteers  who  repelled  Lee’s  invasion 
of  1863.  The  two  flags  of  the  regiment,  the  stars  and  stripes 

(a)  General  Robinson  says  in  his  report  that  his  division  withdrew 
about  five  o’clock.  General  Meade,  in  his  report,  says  that  General  How- 
ard, who  commanded  the  field  in  the  afternoon,  gave  the  order  for  the  First 
Corps  to  retire  about  four  o’clock. 


44 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  the  flag  of  Maine,  the  old  pine  tree  on  the  golden  shield 
in  the  field  of  blue,  were  taken  from  their  staves,  torn  into 
pieces  and  secreted  about  the  persons  of  the  officers  and  men. 
These  fragments  were  carried  through  Southern  prisons  and 
finally  home  to  Maine,  where  they  are  still  treasured  as  pre- 
cious relics  more  than  a quarter  of  a century  after  Gettysburg. 

The  two  Confederate  battle  lines,  closing  together,  struck 
the  regiment  simultaneously.  Ewell’s  men  appeared  upon  the 
north  side  of  the  cut  and  Hill’s  upon  the  south  side  so  nearly 
at  the  same  time  that  both  lines,  with  levelled  muskets,  claimed 
the  prisoners. 

Colonel  Tilden  fell  to  Ewell’s  share  (a).  In  all,  twelve 
officers  and  ninety-two  enlisted  men,  nearly  the  entire  regi- 
ment as  it  had  survived  the  day,  were  captured.  A few  men, 
thirty-five  in  all,  and  four  officers  succeeded  in  evading  the 
Confederates  and  made  their  way  to  the  rest  of  the  army  on 
Cemetery  Hill  (b).  The  thin  lines  of  the  weaiy  soldiers  of 
the  First  Corps  had  already  filed  off  the  field  which  they  had 
contested  so  long  and  so  gallantly,  and  where  they  had  left 
nearly  four  thousand  of  their  comrades  dead  or  wounded.  Of 
the  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  men  and  officers  who  com- 
posed the  Sixteenth  Maine  in  the  morning,  less  than  forty 
represented  the  regiment  in  the  ranks  of  the  First  Corps  on 
Cemetery  Hill,  where  it  was  arrayed  in  line  of  battle  in  the 
evening.  This  remnant  of  the  regiment  was  in  action  July  2d 
under  command  of  Capt.  Daniel  Marston.  In  the  movements 
on  this  day,  one  officer  and  seven  enlisted  men  were  wounded. 
July  4th  Major  A.  D.  Leavitt  succeeded  in  rejoining  the 
regiment  and  it  was  afterwards  led  back  to  Virginia  by  Lieut. - 
Col.  A.  B.  Farnham,  who  was  absent  sick  during  the  battle  (c). 

(a)  A tall  skirmisher  from  Alabama,  seeing  Colonel  Tilden  standing 
with  his  sword  drawn,  drew  up  his  musket  and,  at  a distance  of  not  over 
one  hundred  feet,  shouted:  “Throw  down  that  sword  or  I will  blow  your 
brains  out.”  Sticking  his  sword  into  the  ground,  Colonel  Tilden  passed  to 
the  rear,  a prisoner.  He  was  taken  South  to  Libby  Prison  and  there 
became  one  of  the  daring  band  who  escaped  through  the  famous  tunnel. 

(b)  Thirty-six  men  of  this  Regiment,  previously  detailed  into  the 
Second  Maine  Battery,  served  with  that  battery  this  day. 

(c)  The  Sixteenth  Maine  is  among  the  “three  hundred  fighting  regi- 
ments” enumerated  by  Fox  in  his  statistics  of  Regimental  Losses  in  the 
Civil  War.  Those  were  the  regiments  that  during  their  term  of  service 
suffered  a loss  of  killed  in  battle  or  died  from  wounds  of  130  or  more. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  POSITIONS 


45 


SUCCESSIVE  POSITIONS  OF  Ifc™  MAINE  INFY.  JULY  Ut.  )8fc5. 
■mb  It'TH  Maine.  BSi  Union  Troow.  bbteh  Confederates 

Mile  Scale. 

X X X- X 


llrawn  by  C.  K.  Tilden. 


46 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BATTLE 

AND  REMARKS  THEREON 
BY  ADJUTANT  ABNER  R.  SMALL, 

LATE  MAJOR  OF  THE  SIXTEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

By  command  of  General  Robinson,  the  First  Brigade  hastily 
threw  up  a redoubt  of  earth  and  fence  rails,  in  a circular  form, 
just  in  front  of  the  seminary.  About  one  o’clock  rang  out  the 
command  : "Fall  in  ! Forward  Sixteenth  ! ” "Good-by,  Adju- 
tant, this  is  my  last  fight,”  cried  Captain  Whitehouse.  He 
turned,  repeated  the  command  to  his  company,  and  I never 
saw  him  afterward.  We  double-quicked  to  the  right,  and  took 
position  behind  a rail  fence,  in  a piece  of  woods  and  nearly 
parallel  with  the  Chambersburg  Pike,  and  were  at  once  engaged 
with  the  enemy,  who  were  also  in  rear  of  a fence  and  some  two 
hundred  yards  distant.  Corporal  Yeaton,  of  the  color  guard, 
was  the  first  man  killed.  While  cautioning  his  men  to  keep 
cool  and  aim  low,  Captain  Waldron,  of  Company  I,  was  struck, 
a ball  entering  just  back  of  the  jugular  vein  and  penetrating  to 
the  lung.  Colonel  Tilden,  the  only  mounted  regimental  officer 
in  the  brigade,  had  his  horse  shot  from  under  him.  Now  came 
the  order  to  charge  bayonets.  Color-sergeant  Mower  was  the 
first  to  jump  the  fence,  and  the  regiment  followed  with  a ring- 
ing cheer,  and  in  the  face  of  a galling  fire  went  double-quick, 
scattering  the  rebel  line  pell-mell  to  the  rear  into  the  woods. 
Our  boys  would  have  followed  them,  but  were  recalled,  and 
moved  with  the  division  still  further  to  the  right,  fighting  until 
overpowered  by  numbers  pressing  upon  our  right  flank. 

Now  two  frowning  war  clouds  were  rolling  upon  the  First 
Corps  with  thunders  and  lightnings.  Shot  and  shell  opened 
great  gaps ; musket  balls  cut  like  comb-teeth ; and  victorious 
rebel  cheers  gave  irresistible  impetus  to  their  charging  columns. 

When  our  whole  force  was  falling  back  it  was  necessary  to 
save  as  much  of  the  Second  Division  as  possible.  General 
Robinson  rode  up  to  Colonel  Tilden.  "Advance  and  hold  that 
hill  at  any  cost,”  was  the  order  of  the  Division  commander. 
"Boys,  you  know  what  that  means,”  shouted  Colonel  Tilden. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  INCIDENTS. 


47 


It  meant  the  saving  of  the  rest  of  the  division.  It  meant  death 
to  many,  and  a captivity  worse  than  death  to  the  survivors  of 
that  little  band  of  already  exhausted  troops,  forced  by  an 
imperative  order  to  the  foot  of  a sacrificial  altar. 

There  was  no  thought  of  wavering,  but  with  compressed 
lips  and  tense  nerves  these  manly  boys  silently  obeyed  their 
loved  commander.  They  looked  to  him  for  inspiration ; they 
prayed  to  God  for  support,  as  they  received  the  command : 
"About  face  ! Forward  Sixteenth  ! ” 

The  regiment  advanced,  took  position  behind  the  stone 
wall,  and  broke  the  right  wing  to  the  right,  parallel  to  the 
Mummasburg  Road,  the  color  company  holding  the  apex, — -the 
identical  spot  where  the  88th  Penn,  have  since  placed  a tablet. 
They  held  the  position  bravely  against  fearful  odds. 

Every  moment  was  precious  to  the  retiring  division,  more 
than  precious  to  the  troops  going  into  position  on  Cemetery 
Hill.  The  deep,  hoarse  growl  of  the  battle  storm  grew  into  a 
lion-like  roar.  The  rebels  fired  upon  us  from  all  sides, — from 
behind  the  wall,  from  the  fences,  from  the  Mummasburg  Road. 
They  swarmed  down  upon  us,  they  engulfed  us,  and  swept 
away  the  last  semblance  of  organization  which  marked  us  as  a 
separate  command.  To  fight  longer  was  useless,  was  wicked. 
For  this  little  battalion  of  heroes,  hemmed  in  by  thousands  of 
rebels,  there  was  no  succor,  no  hope.  Summoned  to  surrender, 
Colonel  Tilden  plunged  his  sword  into  the  ground  and  broke  it 
short  off  at  the  hilt,  and  directed  the  destruction  of  the  colors. 
A rebel  officer  sprang  to  seize  the  flag,  when  the  men,  once 
more  and  for  the  last  time,  closed  around  the  priceless  emblems, 
and  in  a moment  of  fury  rent  the  staves  in  twain  and  threw  the 
pieces  at  the  officer’s  feet.  Eager  hands  from  every  direction 
seized  the  banners  and  tore  them  piece  by  piece  beyond  reclaim 
or  recognition, — -but  now  to  be  held  doubly  dear.  To-day,  all 
over  Maine,  can  be  found  in  albums  and  frames  and  breast- 
pocket-books  gold  stars  and  shreds  of  silk,  cherished  mementos 
of  that  heroic  and  awful  hour. 

And  so  the  Sixteenth  Maine  was  the  last  regiment  that  left 
the  extreme  front  on  the  1st  of  July,  — if  four  officers  and 
thirty-six  men  can  be  called  a regiment. 


48 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


What  if  the  enemy  took  our  swords,  seized  our  guns,  and 
confiscated  our  persons  with  whatever  they  bore?  They  left 
our  honor  untarnished  and  in  our  hearts  a consciousness  of 
duty  faithfully  done,  too  dearly  testified  by  the  bleeding  and 
broken  forms  stretched  upon  the  crimson  field. 

The  contest  was  almost  absurd  in  its  great  one-sided  press- 
ure. We  were  crushed  as  between  the  upper  and  nether  mill- 
stones of  fate,  but  not  humiliated.  General  Robinson’s  order 
made  of  the  Sixteenth  Maine  a forlorn  hope,  as  it  were.  The 
irresistible  force  of  circumstances  dashed  the  hope  to  atoms, 
but  not  until  after  the  Second  Division  of  the  First  Army  Corps 
was  saved. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  Ewell  occupied  the  town,  posting  his 
line  within  half  a mile  of  the  cemetery.  General  Newton, 
assigned  to  command  of  the  First  Corps,  placed  it  in  reserve 
in  rear  of  the  cemetery,  and  within  thirty  minutes’  march  of 
any  part  of  the  Union  line.  Early  in  the  morning  the  brigade 
was  reorganized,  Col.  Richard  Coulter  commanding,  with  Adjt. 
A.  R.  Small  detailed  as  acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 
The  regiment  under  Captain  Marston  changed  position  from 
time  to  time  as  ordered,  and  with  the  brigade  was  ordered  to 
the  left  centre  of  our  general  line  late  in  the  afternoon  (a). 
While  it  was  moving  by  the  right  flank  past  General  Meade’s 
headquarters,  a rebel  shell  exploded  in  the  regiment,  severely 
wounding  Lieut.  Fred  H.  Beecher  and  seven  enlisted  men. 
Moving  eight  hundred  yards,  the  command  was  given,  ''By  the 
right  flank  ! March  ! ” and  in  line  of  battle  the  brigade  dashed 
on  through  the  smoke,  over  the  bowlders,  but  only  to  find  that 
the  enemy  had  already  been  driven  back. 

In  terrible  suspense,  on  the  3d  of  July,  moments  crept  by 
until  one  o’clock,  when  the  stillness  of  the  air  was  suddenly 
broken  by  a signal  gun.  Instantly  one  hundred  and  fifty  guns 
were  discharged  as  if  by  electricity,  answered  on  the  Union 
side  by  about  one  hundred  more,  and  tons  of  metal  parted  the 
air,  which  closed  with  a roar,  making  acres  of  earth  groan  and 
tremble.  The  hills  and  the  huge  bowlders  take  up  the  sound 

(a)  Colonel  Coulter,  commanding  the  brigade  on  July  2d,  speaks  of  this  move- 
ment as  occurring  “ about  seven  o’clock  in  the  evening.”  Fide  his  Official  Report 
Rebellion  Records,  Serial  No.  43,  p.  294. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  THIRD  DAY. 


49 


and  hurl  it  back,  to  add  its  broken  tones  to  the  long  roll  of 
sound  that  strikes  upon  ears  thirty  miles  away.  For  two  hours 
the  air  was  filled  with  a horrible  concordance  of  sounds.  The 
air,  thick  with  sulphurous  vapor  and  smoke,  through  which 
came  the  sharp  cry  of  agony,  the  hoarse  command,  and  the 
screaming  shell,  almost  suffocated  those  supporting  the  bat- 
teries. Guns  are  dismounted  and  rest  their  metallic  weight 
upon  quivering  flesh.  Caissons  explode,  and  wheels  and  boxes 
strew  the  ground  in  every  direction.  Horses  by  the  score  are 
blown  down  by  the  terrible  hurricane  and  lie  moaning  in  agony 
almost  human  in  its  expression.  One  battery  at  our  immediate 
front  lost  forty  horses  in  twenty  minutes.  In  the  vicinity  of 
Meade’s  headquarters  shells  exploded  at  the  rate  of  sixty  per 
minute.  Solid  shot  would  strike  the  ground  in  front,  cover  a 
battalion  with  sand  and  dirt,  ricochet,  and  demon-like  go 
plunging  through  the  ranks  of  massed  men  in  the  rear.  For  a 
mile  or  more  a lurid  flame  of  fire  streams  out  over  the  heads  of 
our  men  in  long  jets,  as  if  to  follow  the  tons  of  metal  thrown 
through  the  murky  air,  which  parts  to  receive  it  and  shudders 
as  if  tortured  by  screaming  furies. 

Our  artillery  ammunition  was  reduced  to  a few  rounds,  and 
there  came  a signal  from  Little  Round  Top  that  the  enemy  was 
rapidly  massing  for  a charge  behind  the  dense  smoke  which 
afforded  them  a screen.  Notwithstanding  our  infantry  would 
become  more  exposed  if  our  batteries  were  silent,  the  order 
was  issued  and  the  firing  ceased.  The  rebels  jumped  at  con- 
clusions and  sent  up  a wild  yell.  We  had  heard  it  too  often  to 
lose  heart  or  courage  ; but  nerves  were  at  their  extreme  tension 
as  we  watched  the  splendid  lines  of  Confederate  infantry  which 
stretched  in  our  front,  as  if  for  parade ; and  a second  and  yet 
in  the  rear  a third  debouch  from  the  woods  into  view.  Such  a 
sight  is  given  only  once  in  a life-time,  and  once  seen  never  to 
be  forgotten.  Pickett’s  division  leads  the  front  on  the  right 
with  Pettigrew’s  on  the  left.  In  their  rear  moved  Anderson’s 
and  Trimble’s  commands  ; the  right  was  covered  by  Perry  and 
Wilcox,  and  the  left  by  McGowan  and  Thomas.  Down  the 
slope  into  the  valley  they  come ; and  now  it  is  our  turn,  and 
from  the  black  muzzles  of  more  than  eighty  cannon  pour  round 


50 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


shot,  spherical  case  and  canister,  in  an  incessant  torrent  which 
cuts  great  swaths  of  living  grain.  Men  go  down  by  scores, 
but  others  fill  the  gaps,  and  the  undaunted  tide  sweeps  on  in 
perfect  order  fairly  across  the  Emmitsburg  Road,  when  from 
behind  the  stone-wall  the  Union  line  pours  in  a shower  of  hiss- 
ing bullets,  carrying  death  and  destruction  to  those  brave  but 
mistaken  men.  They  go  down  like  jackstraws ; they  lie  in 
windrows.  With  a desperation  born  of  madness,  they  force 
their  way  through  a shower  of  leaden  hail.  Hot  with  passion 
born  of  war,  stained  and  blinded  with  blood,  the  living  fail  to 
see  the  terrible  harvest  of  death  in  their  rear,  and,  utterly  reck- 
less of  personal  results,  they  press  on  and  on,  and  with  a yell 
of  victory  plant  their  tattered  flags  of  rebellion  upon  the  Union 
stone- wall.  They  turn  to  beckon  on  the  next  line.  The  next 
line  ! Where  is  it  ? Exultation  is  drowned  in  despair  and 
defeat,  for  from  both  flanks  the  Union  boys  are  giving  a deadly 
fire,  while  shot  and  shell  enfilade  their  rear.  Thousands  fall  to 
the  ground  and  hold  up  their  hands  in  token  of  surrender,  and 
others  flee  through  the  storm  of  bullets,  shell  and  canister  that 
reaches  the  Emmitsburg  Road.  A brave  man  can  but  pity  the 
victims  of  such  a terrible  disappointment.  Looking  down 
upon  all  this,  I could  see,  shorn  of  all  wordy  description, 
simply  a square  mile  of  tophet. 

The  remnant  of  the  Sixteenth  is  sadly  depressed.  The 
loved  colonel  on  his  way  to  Richmond,  to  the  prison-pens  of 
the  South ; our  valued  surgeon,  Alexander,  wounded  and  a 
prisoner ; all  the  line  officers  but  four  either  killed,  wounded, 
or  missing,  and  a fearful  list  of  casualties  among  the  men. 
We  thought  of  the  brave  fellows  started  on  a pilgrimage  worse 
than  death.  There  is  said  to  lie  a time  in  every  man’s  life 
when  he  learns  to  cry.  I believe  many  of  us  graduated  in  this 
accomplishment  that  night.  While  we  were  in  the  slough  of 
despond,  and  trying  to  assist  as  skirmishers  in  the  front  line, 
Major  Leavitt  joined  the  regiment  and  assumed  command  at 
ten  o’clock  p.  m.  The  heavy  rain  pressing  down  our  spirits 
could  not  dampen  our  joy  at  his  coming. 

From  "Benny”  Worth,  who  escaped  from  the  enemy’s 
hands,  we  learned  that  Corporal  Bradford  with  others  rendered 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


51 


timely  aid  to  many  of  the  wounded  inside  the  rebel  lines.  He 
found  Captain  Lowell,  of  Company  D,  where  he  fell  mortally 
wounded,  a short  distance  from  the  Mummasburg  Road  and 
near  the  stone- wall.  Although  conscious,  he  was  speechless. 
He  was  carried  to  a vacant  room  in  the  seminary  on  the  first 
floor.  Before  Bradford  could  find  a surgeon,  he  with  others 
was  marched  to  the  rear  some  two  miles. 


PARTICIPANTS. 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  commanding,  Charles  W.  Tilden,  Castine. 

Major,  Arch  D.  Leavitt,  Turner  (commanding  on  and  after  evening  of 
July  4th). 

Acting  Major,  Capt.  Samuel  Clifford  Belcher,  Farmington. 

Captain,  Daniel  Marston,  Phillips,  commanding  July  2d-4th. 

Adjutant,  Abner  R.  Small,  Waterville  (Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General 
of  brigade  from  morning  of  July  2d). 

Quartermaster,  Isaac  N.  Tucker,  Gardiner. 

Surgeon,  Charles  Alexander,  Farmington. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Joseph  B.  Baxter,  Gorham  (at  brigade  hospital). 
Assistant  Surgeon,  William  W.  Eaton,  Brunswick. 

Chaplain,  George  Bullen,  Skowhegan. 

Acting  Sergeant-major,  Cherbury  F.  Lothrop,  Chesterville. 

Color  Sergeant,  Wilbur  F.  Mower,  Greene  (National  flag). 

Color  Corporal,  Sampson  A.  Thomas,  Turner  (State  flag). 

Quartermaster  Sergeant,  George  W.  Brown,  Augusta. 

Commissary  Sergeant,  Charles  H.  Parlin,  Skowhegan. 

Ordnance  Sergeant,  James  P.  Hamblen,  Limington. 

Hospital  Steward,  Joseph  B.  Dow,  Farmington. 

Company  A. 

Captain,  Isaac  A.  Pennell,  New  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Nathan  Fowler,  Skowhegan. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Nathaniel  W.  Coston,  Athens. 

SERGEANTS. 

Daniel  A.  Spearin,  Blanchard,  James  S.  Parsons,  Lexington, 

Winslow  A.  Morrill,  Patten. 

CORPORALS. 

John  W.  Watson,  New  Portland,  Aretas  H.  West,  New  Portland, 

Henry  E.  Dexter,  Vienna,  Bray  Wilkins,  Fairfield, 

Phineas  McCollar,  Madison,  Clement  C.  Williams,  New  Portland. 

PRIVATES. 

Achom,  Jacob,  Rockland,  Brackett,  Hiram,  Detroit, 


52 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Butts,  Isaac  H.,  New  Portland, 
Chamberlain,  Stephen  A.,  Mayfield, 
Cook,  Moses  W.,  West  Waterville, 
Furbish,  Jairus  H.,  Lexington, 
Gould,  George  H.,  Lexington, 
Holbrook,  Abel  C.,  Embden, 
Kealiher,  John  D.,  Moose  River  PI. 
Morrill,  Hiram  A.,  New  Portland, 
Piper,  Thomas  B.,  Blanchard, 
Thompson,  John  F.,  New  Portland, 


Carvill,  Benjamin,  New  Portland, 
Clark,  Henry  R.,  Solon, 

Fuller,  Horatio  G.,  New  Portland, 
Goodwin,  Lyman  O.,  Detroit, 
Hackett,  Alden  T.,  Patten, 

Hurd,  Joel  B.,  Harmony, 

Knowles,  Freeman  T.,  Skowhegan, 
Murch,  Albert  J.,  Starks, 

Reed,  William  H.,  Stetson, 
Whitcomb,  Tilston  T.,  Concord. 


On  Detached  Service:  Levi  Berry,  Embden,  hospital  nurse; 
George  A.  Downing,  Skowhegan,  ambulance  corps;  Edward  P.  Snow, 
Skowhegan,  hospital  nurse;  John  Young,  New  Portland,  division  wagoner. 


Company  B. 

Captain,  Eleazer  W.  Atwood,  Gardiner. 

First  Lieutenant,  Fred  H.  Beecher,  Gardiner. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Melvin  C.  Wadsworth,  Pittston. 

SERGEANTS. 

Leander  L.  Taylor,  Gardiner,  Charles  E.  Deering,  Gardiner, 

Reuben  M.  Farrington,  China,  Gustavus  Moore,  Gardiner. 

CORPORALS. 

Augustus  W.  McCausland,  Gardiner,  Charles  O.  Wadsworth,  Gardiner. 


PRIVATES. 


Atkins,  Alonzo  C.,  Manchester, 
Britt,  James,  Augusta, 

Bruce,  William  W.,  Augusta, 
Chenery,  George  W.,  Gardiner, 
Ewer,  Henry  A.,  Vassalboro, 
Huntington,  William  H.,  Gardiner, 
Palmer,  Ambrose  H.,  Winslow, 
Phillips,  Joseph  P.,  Augusta, 
Pooler,  Joseph,  Waterville, 

Pullen,  Elias,  Winthrop, 

Robie,  John  G.,  Litchfield, 

Smith,  Charles  D.,  Gardiner, 
Strong,  George  F.,  Gardiner, 
Thayer,  Adin  B.,  Waterville, 
Welch,  Joseph  W.,  Gardiner, 


Austin,  Henry  D.,  Augusta, 
Brookings,  Edmund  J.,  Farmingdale, 
Campbell,  Hiram  W.,  Manchester, 
Doyle,  Thomas,  Augusta, 

Hooker,  George  H.,  Gardiner, 
Maury,  Joseph,  Waterville, 

Phillips,  Charles  M.,  Augusta, 

Palmer,  John,  Winslow, 

Plummer,  Evarts  P.,  Augusta, 
Richardson,  Joseph  W.,  Turner, 
Robinson,  William  H.,  Gardiner, 
Smith,  Thomas  E.,  Gardiner, 

Tallow,  Martin,  Waterville, 

Webber,  Samuel  L.,  Richmond, 
Welch,  Warren  E.,  Gardiner. 


Musician:  Wesley  Webber,  Gardiner. 

On  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  George  H.  Stone,  Farmingdale, 
ambulance  corps;  Albert  H.  Norcross,  Augusta,  quartermaster  dept.; 
George  F.  Wentworth,  Gardiner,  quartermaster  dept. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


53 


Company  C. 

Captain,  Daniel  Marston,  Phillips. 

First  Lieutenant,  Marshall  S.  Smith,  East  Livermore. 
Second  Lieutenant,  George  D.  Bisbee,  Peru. 

SERGEANTS. 


Charles  M.  Adams,  Wilton, 
Henry  D.  Fisk,  Presque  Isle, 

Edwin  C.  Jones,  Fayette, 
John  M.  Keene,  Phillips, 
George  H.  Farnham,  Wilton, 
Robinson  Fairbanks,  Sharon, 


Adams,  George  G.  B.,  Wilton, 
Bascomb,  Thomas  A.,  Wilton, 
Blanchard,  Charles  M.,  Phillips, 
Brown,  Rice,  Vienna, 

Butterfield,  Martin,  Mapleton, 
Chandler,  Alphonso  L.,  Mapleton, 
Grindle,  Madison  J.,  Maysville, 
Lufkin,  Loren,  Phillips, 

Newton,  Abraham,  Canton, 

Reed,  Elias,  Wilton, 

Sharp,  Henry  A.,  Lyndon, 

Tuttle,  John,  Freeman, 


William  Farnham,  Wilton, 

Charles  C.  Small,  Wilton. 

CORPORALS. 

William  N.  Yeaton,  Farmington, 
Dorillus  Hobbs,  East  Livermore, 
Francis  A.  Crane,  Fayette, 
Charles  F.  Soule,  Mapleton. 

PRIVATES. 

Bartlett,  Nathan,  Jr.,  Livermore, 
Blackwell,  William  T.,  Jay, 

Brown,  Orville,  East  Livermore, 
Butterfield,  Henry  J.,  Bethel, 
Chaney,  Farwell,  Wilton, 

Davis,  Colamore  P.,  Freeman, 
Hinds,  David  H.,  East  Livermore, 
Moulton,  Joel  D.,  Phillips, 
Phinney,  Archibald,  Washburn, 
Ridley,  James,  East  Livermore, 
Stratton,  Albion  W.,  Washburn, 
Witham,  Sidney  T. , Chesterville. 


MUSICIANS. 

Hartson  W.  McKenney,  Phillips,  James  A.  Barrows,  Peru, 

John  B.  Hall,  Washburn. 

On  Detached  Service:  Calvin  Beals,  East  Livermore,  cattle  guard; 
Alburn  C.  King,  Dixfield,  cattle  guard;  Thomas  S.  Hopkins,  Mt.  Vernon, 
Adjutant’s  clerk;  Israel  S.  Lovell,  Fremont  Plantation,  ambulance  corps; 
Winthrop  A.  Rowe,  Phillips,  Orderly,  regimental  headquarters;  John  H. 
Stickney,  Phillips,  cattle  guard. 


Company  D. 

Captain,  Oliver  H.  Lowell,  Gorham. 

First  Lieutenant,  Samuel  H.  Plummer,  Waterford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Broughton,  Portland. 

sergeants. 

John  M.  Webster,  Waterford,  William  F.  Lombard,  Peru, 

Joseph  H.  Hamilton,  North  Yarmouth. 

CORPORALS. 

Sanford  M.  Reed,  Mexico,  Benjamin  F.  Fuller,  Brunswick, 

Laforest  Kimball,  Waterford,  Charles  H.  Putnam,  Bethel. 


54 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Adams,  Hosea,  Stoneham, 

Bailey,  Edwin,  Lovell, 

Bancroft,  Columbus,  Litchfield, 
Bowie,  Edwin  R.,  Portland, 

Downey,  John,  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia, 
Foster,  John  F.,  Gray, 

Lane,  Nelson  A.,  Poland, 

Plummer,  Charles,  Waterford, 

Rider,  Charles  D.,  North  Yarmouth, 
Small,  William  H.,  Dixfield, 

Stevens,  Charles  H.,  Waterford, 
Townsend,  Horatio  G.,  Newfield, 
Warren,  Jonathan,  Lovell, 

Wood,  Isaac  W.,  Waterford. 


Andrews,  Henry  F.,  Lovell, 

Bean,  Peter  T.,  Bethel, 

Butters,  Timothy,  Waterford, 
Conture,  Charles,  Quebec, 
Dunnells,  Joseph,  Newfield, 

Gray,  Samuel,  Jr.,  Stoneham, 
Park,  Silas  H.,  Dixfield, 

Richards,  Prentiss  M.,  Roxbury, 
Roberts,  Albert  W.,  Falmouth, 
Smith,  Charles,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
Stone,  Moody  R.,  Waterford, 
Twitchell,  Fordyce  P.,  Bethel, 
Whitman,  Gilbert  M.,  Woodstock, 


MUSICIANS. 

George  P.  Hall,  Bethel,  Cyrus  L.  J.  Cook,  Madrid, 

Charles  A.  Locke,  Bethel. 


On  Detached  Service:  Stephen  Coffin,  Lovell,  hospital  nurse; 
Abel  H.  Harriman,  Lovell,  regimental  headquarters’  guard;  Edward  E. 
Hayes,  Mexico,  division  teamster;  Erastus  Hayes,  Mexico,  division 
teamster;  Oliver  H.  McKeen,  Waterford,  wagoner. 


Company  E. 

Captain,  William  A.  Stevens,  Waterville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Lincoln  K.  Plummer,  Jefferson, 

Second  Lieutenant,  Aubrey  Leavitt,  Turner. 

sergeants. 

Edwin  C.  Stevens,  Waterville,  Jones  Whitman,  Turner, 

Warren  Seaward,  Vassalboro,  Joseph  G.  Lamb,  Leeds, 

Martin  B.  Soule,  Waterville. 


CORPORALS. 

William  Ballantine,  Waterville,  Consider  F.  Blaisdell,  Jay, 

Octavius  H.  Tubbs,  Hebron,  Harrison  Merchant,  Weld. 

Sampson  A.  Thomas,  Turner,  color  bearer  (State  flag). 

PRIVATES. 


Abbott,  Charles,  Newport, 
Bradford,  Luther,  Turner, 

Foster,  William  G.,  Pittsfield, 
Harmond,  George  C.,  Turner, 
Knight,  Joseph  F.,  Newport, 

Lyon,  Charles  C.,  Newport, 

Monk,  Isaac  J.,  Turner, 

Pulcifer,  Alexander  W.,  Weld, 
Tibbetts,  Andrew  J.,  Newport, 
Webber,  Gustavus  V.,  Vassalboro, 
Winship,  Charles  P.,  Turner, 


Bates,  William  T.,  Waterville, 
Fales,  Curtis  V.,  Turner, 
George,  Francis,  Leeds, 

Hoyt,  Stephen  A.,  Vassalboro, 
Lyford,  James  M.,  Waterville, 
Mills,  Albion  B.,  Vassalboro, 
Priest,  Hiram  T.,  Vassalboro, 
Thomas,  David  S.,  Carthage, 
Trask,  Ezra  W.,  Belgrade, 
Webber,  Virgil  H.,  Vassalboro, 


Worth,  Benjamin  F.,  Vassalboro. 
Musician:  Benjamin  W.  Johnson,  Jay. 

On  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Robert  C.  Brann,  Vassalboro, 
pioneer  corps;  Asel  A.  Littlefield,  Belgrade,  ambulance  corps;  Daniel  A. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


55 


Soule,  Waterville,  Brigade  commissary  dept. ; Granville  Richmond,  Leeds, 
brigade  commissary  dept.;  Mark  Towle,  Newport,  guard  at  regimental 
headquarters;  Roscoe  B.  Townsend,  Jay,  teamster  Division  train;  Francis 
Worth,  Vassalboro,  ambulance  corps;  Otis  Wood,  Jr.,  Turner,  wagoner. 


Company  F. 

Captain,  Thomas  F.  Wentworth,  Gorham. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  A.  Deering,  Saco. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Daniel  L.  Warren,  Standish. 


SERGEANTS. 

Charles  W.  Ross,  Biddeford,  John  McPhee,  Gorham. 


CORPORALS. 


Edward  L.  Varney,  Brunswick,  William  Cannell,  Gorham, 
William  Manchester,  Jr.,  Standish. 


PRIVATES. 


Andrews,  Abram  S.,  Gorham, 
Blair,  Samuel,  Gorham, 
Burnham,  George  R.,  Hollis, 
Follett,  William  A.,  Scarboro, 
Harding,  John  F.,  Dover,  N.  H., 
Hodgdon,  Abram  B.,  Hollis, 
Leavitt,  Frank  J.,  Buxton, 
Palmer,  George,  Saco, 

Powers,  Albert,  Windham, 
Rhodes,  Frank,  Dayton, 

Smith,  George  W.,  Saco, 

Tarbox,  Frank  L.,  Hollis, 
Tibbetts,  Sheldron  H.,  Saco. 

Musician: 


Barker,  Levi  D.,  Sweden, 
Brocklebank,  Nathan  C.,  Bridgton, 
Fenderson,  Benjamin,  Saco, 

Greene,  Joseph,  Saco, 

Harmon,  Alpheus  S.,  Standish, 
Johnson,  Albion,  Gorham, 

March,  John  D.,  Bridgton, 

Pierce,  Charles  R.,  Wareham,  Mass., 
Reynolds,  Charles,  Saco, 

Seavey,  Charles  L.,  Saco, 

Smith,  Melville  B.,  Hollis, 

Thorpe,  David  H.,  Saco, 


Henry  C.  Crockett,  Westbrook. 


On  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  James  P.  Hamblen,  Limington, 
ordnance  sergeant;  Larkin  E.  Barker,  Bridgton,  hospital  guard;  John  M. 
Burnham,  Parsonsfield,  cattle  guard;  Royal  L.  Cleaves,  Bridgton,  nurse 
in  hospital;  Aaron  Cross,  Bridgton,  guard  brigade  headquarters;  Thomas 
J.  Dorset,  Standish,  division  teamster;  William  F.  Green,  Gorham,  divis- 
ion teamster;  Granville  B.  Jordan,  Sweden,  guard  regimental  head- 
quarters; Lorenzo  D.  Libby,  Windham,  division  teamster;  William  R. 
Loud,  Denmark,  ambulance  corps;  Eugene  Savage,  Anson,  hospital 
guard;  Gideon  M.  Tucker,  Standish,  wagoner. 


Company  G. 

Capt.  Samuel  Clifford  Belcher,  Farmington,  acting  Major; 

Second  Lieutenant,  Isaac  H.  Thompson,  Anson,  commanding  Company. 

sergeants. 

Thomas  H.  B.  Lenfest,  Palmyra,  John  H.  Frain,  Madison, 

Byron  D.  Babcock,  Palmyra,  Joseph  R.  Ricker,  Chesterville, 

Joseph  P.  Austin,  Skowhegan. 


56 


MAINE  AX  GETTYSBURG. 


Corporal:  Gorham  Lord,  Detroit. 


PRIVATES. 


Blunt,  David  F.,  Skowhegan, 
Crocker,  Sylvester,  Strong, 

Cross,  Josiah  W.,  Detroit, 
Fairbrother,  Frank,  Palmyra, 
Gibbs,  Thomas  A.,  Skowhegan, 
Hodgkins,  Jacob  T.,  New  Sharon, 
Mace,  John  W.,  Farmington, 
Moore,  Levi  M.,  New  Sharon, 
Prince,  Edward  M.,  New  Sharon, 
Quint,  George  R.,  Anson, 

Snow,  Daniel  B.,  Skowhegan, 
Williamson,  Boardman,  New  Share 
Works,  Lewis,  New  Sharon. 


Chamberlain,  William  H.,  Skowhegan, 
Crocker,  Abner,  Strong, 

Emery,  Luke,  Anson, 

Famham,  Samuel  T.,  Palmyra, 
Gleason,  Sumner  A.,  Farmington, 
Lake,  John  W.,  New  Vineyard, 
Merrow,  John  E.,  Skowhegan, 

Neal,  Andrew,  New  Sharon, 

Pullen,  Harrison,  Anson, 

Quint,  William  F.,  Anson, 

Wade,  Gardner  B.,  Farmington, 
i,  Wilson,  Edward,  Skowhegan, 


On  Detached  Service:  First  Lieut.  Joseph  H.  Malbon,  Skowhe- 
gan, commanding  ambulance  corps;  Elisha  G.  Baker,  New  Sharon, 
wagoner. 

Company  H. 


Captain,  John  D.  Conley,  Bangor. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  U.  Childs,  Farmington. 

SERGEANTS. 


John  McDonald,  Calais,  Lewis  C.  Richards,  Limerick, 

Frank  Wiggin,  Limestone  Plantation,  George  H.  Fisher,  Winterport. 


Joel  S.  Stevens,  Frankfort, 

Charles  L.  Favour,  Limerick, 
William  Fennelly,  Mt.  Desert. 

Atkins,  Charles  R.,  Pittsfield, 
Chick,  Winfield  S.,  Thorndike, 
Day,  Calvin,  Cprnish, 

Dyer,  George  F.,  Biddeford, 
George,  Timothy  A.,  Holden, 
Gregory,  Amasa,  Montville, 
Hayes,  Charles  J.,  Limerick, 
Middleton,  Thomas,  Ellsworth, 
O’Connor,  Patrick,  Tremont, 
Patten,  Jacob  M.,  Pittsfield, 
Pierce,  James  S.,  Limerick, 
Pugsley,  Francis,  Scarboro, 

Rich,  Tyler  F.,  Tremont, 

Smith,  William  H.,  Portland, 
Wilson,  George  W.,  Parsonsfield, 


CORPORALS. 

Nelson  Hewey,  Veazie, 

Thomas  D.  Witherly,  Bangor, 

PRIVATES. 

Bean,  Dudley  B.,  Passadumkeag, 
Clement,  Samuel  H.,  Winterport, 
Dearborn,  George  F.,  Monson, 

Foss,  James  C.,  Winterport, 
Goodwin,  Charles,  Cornish, 

Hagan,  John,  Calais, 

Lonely,  Danforth,  Mapleton, 

Neal,  Adam  J.,  Waite  Plantation, 
Patten,  George  W..  Pittsfield, 
Phillips,  David,  Pittsfield, 

Potts,  Thomas,  Biddeford, 

Redding,  George  F.,  Calais, 

Rupert,  Moses  J.,  Passadumkeag, 
Whitten,  Martin  L.,  Etna, 

Yeaton,  James  P.,  Waite  Plantation. 


Musician:  Samuel  R.  Garey,  Limerick. 

On  Detached  Service:  William  L.  Moore,  Princeton,  cattle  guard  ; 
Joseph  Simpson,  Corinth,  cattle  guard. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


57 


Company  I. 

Captain,  William  H.  Waldron,  Lewiston. 
First  Lieutenant,  Lewis  C.  Bisbee,  Canton. 

sergeants. 


Zelotes  Rowe,  Lisbon, 

Jabez  P.  Parker,  Greene. 

Hosea  D.  Manley,  Auburn, 
George  B.  Haskell,  Webster, 
John  S.  Brown,  Augusta. 


Allen,  William,  Presque  Isle, 
Anderson,  George  W.,  Byron, 
Blake,  Isaac  A.,  Lisbon, 

Churchill,  Charles  C.,  Buckfield, 
Estes,  Jeremiah,  Durham, 

Flugil,  George  B.,  Monmouth, 
Garcelon,  Benjamin  F.,  Webster, 
Gould,  Thomas  J.,  Lisbon, 
Howard,  Elias,  Manchester, 
Hutchins,  George  A.,  Canton, 
Littlefield,  Thomas  C.,  Hallowell, 
Patten,  Lora  S.,  Greene, 

Piper,  George  T.,  Turner, 

Small,  Daniel,  Lisbon, 

Shurtleff,  William  D.,  Turner, 


Wilbur  F.  Mower,  Greene,  color 
bearer. 

CORPORALS 

George  D.  Marston,  Auburn, 
William  Davis,  Durham, 

privates. 

Anderson,  Charles  R.,  Lewiston, 
Batchelder,  William  H.,  Wilton, 
Briggs,  Arannah,  Greene, 

Davis,  Robert,  Gardiner, 

Farris,  Freeman  H.,  Turner, 
Frost,  George  W.,  Greene, 
Gilbert,  Roscoe,  Greene, 
Holmes,  Stewart,  Turner, 
Howland,  Enoch,  Topsham, 
Jordan,  Ephraim  L.,  Webster, 
Mower,  Eugene  S.,  Greene, 
Peabody,  Samuel,  Canton, 
Powers,  Roderick,  Presque  Isle, 
Stover,  Oliver,  Webster, 

Vose,  Sabastian  S.,  Lewiston. 


On  Detached  Service  : Second  Lieut.  Charles  A.  Garcelon,  Lewis- 
ton, commanding  brigade  ambulance  corp  ; Charles  W.  Allen,  Livermore, 
brigade  commissary  dept.  ; Henry  Hackett,  Durham,  ambulance  corps  ; 
William  W.  Marston,  Buckfield,  division  teamster ; Dennis  Sullivan,  Port- 
land, cattle  guard  ; Charles  H.  Young,  Peru,  guard  at  corps  headquarters. 


Company  K. 

Captain,  Stephen  C.  Whitehouse,  Newcastle. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  O.  Lord,  Biddeford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Edward  F.  Davies,  Castine. 

sergeants. 

Wilmot  H.  Chapman,  Nobleboro,  Atwood  Fitch,  Bristol, 

Joseph  B.  Varnum,  Castine,  Walter  Dunbar,  Nobleboro, 

Francis  C.  Mayo,  Bluehill. 

corporals. 

Reuel  W.  Higgins,  Deer  Isle,  John  J.  Blodgett,  Castine, 

Albert  C.  Stevens,  Bluehill,  Charles  A.  Devereux,  Penobscot, 

Frank  Devereux,  Castine,  Charles  T.  Choate,  Bluehill. 


58 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Allen.  Charles  P.,  Brooklin, 
Bickford,  Isaac  B.,  Pittsfield, 
Bowden,  Lorenzo  D.,  Castine, 
Cunningham,  Edward,  Jefferson, 
Hatch,  Mark  E.,  Castine, 
Gregory,  Lambert,  Bluehill, 
Morgrage,  Andrew  J.,  Castine, 
Peacock,  Joseph,  Bluehill, 
Savage,  Hiram,  Washington, 
Wescott,  Henry  D.,  Castine, 


PRIVATES. 

Bickford,  Elisha  F.,  Castine, 
Bowden,  Frank  M.,  Castine, 
Butler,  Henry  B.,  Castine, 
Dow,  Reuben  A.,  Brooklin, 
Joyce,  Moses  S.,  Deer  Isle, 
Marks,  James  B.,  Sedgwick, 
Page,  Ira,  Sedgwick, 

Sanborn,  Alonzo  B.,  Brooklin, 
Spaulding,  Daniel,  Pittsfield, 
Wilson,  Thomas  J.,  Sedgwick. 


On  Detached  Service:  Seth  K.  Chase,  Bluehill,  guard  brigade 
headquarters;  Daniel  Coligan,  Washington,  division  teamster;  Daniel  M. 
Curtis,  Deer  Isle,  ambulance  corps;  Francis  M.  Widens,  Bluehill,  cattle 
guard;  Walter  J.  Widens,  Bluehill,  guard  at  corps  headquarters. 


Note  to  foregohuj  list  of  participants. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  list  above  given  presents  a total 
of  one  hundred  more  men  and  six  more  officers  than  the  num- 
bers given  respectively  in  the  inscription  on  the  monuments. 

It  is  to  be  said  in  regard  to  the  officers  that  those  of  the 
field  and  staff  were  inadvertently  omitted  in  making  up  the 
account  for  the  inscription,  attention  being  drawn  to  the  com- 
panies and  the  officers  of  the  line  more  than  to  the  field  and 
staff.  Adding  the  latter,  not  including  Lieut. -Col.  Augustus 
B.  Farnham  absent  sick,  the  accounts  agree  precisely. 

With  regard  to  the  discrepancy  in  the  two  reports  of  men 
present,  it  is  to  be  said  that  the  numbers  given  in  the  inscrip- 
tion are  those  reporting  present  for  duty  at  the  last  roll-call 
before  the  battle.  It  is  certain  that  men  came  up  to  the  regi- 
ment while  it  was  in  its  first  position,  before  its  engagement. 
There  can  be  little  doubt  that  others  came  up  in  like  manner  at 
some  time  during  the  three  days  of  the  battle.  It  is  quite  pos- 
sible that  there  may  be  some  named  on  this  list  who  were  not 
able  to  get  up,  and  consequently  were  not  engaged  in  the  fight- 
ing. But  it  is  believed  to  be  more  nearly  just  to  run  the  risk 
of  including  in  this  list  some  who  were  not  in  the  battle  than 
to  leave  off  some  because  there  is  no  other  proof  of  their  being 
present  than  the  presumption  from  their  well-known  soldierly 
and  manly  character. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


59 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Colonel  Charles  W.  Tilden,  prisoner. 

Captain  and  Acting  Major  Samuel  Clifford  Belcher,  prisoner. 
Surgeon  Charles  Alexander,  wounded  and  prisoner;  paroled. 
Assistant  Surgeon  William  W.  Eaton,  prisoner;  paroled. 

Acdng  Sergeant-Major  Cherbury  F.  Lothrop,  prisoner;  paroled. 


Company  A. 

Captain  Isaac  A.  Pennell,  wounded. 

SERGEANTS. 

Daniel  A.  Spearin,  wounded. 

Winslow  A.  Morrill,  mortally  wounded. 


Bray  Wilkins,  prisoner. 


CORPORALS. 

Clement  C.  Williams,  prisoner. 


Carville,  Benjamin,  prisoner. 
Cook,  Moses  W.,  wounded. 
Fuller,  Horatio  G.,  prisoner. 
Goodwin,  Lyman  O.,  prisoner. 
Holbrook,  Abel  C.,  wounded. 
Murch,  Albert  J.,  prisoner. 
Thompson,  John  F.,  wounded. 


PRIVATES. 

Clark,  Henry  R.,  wounded. 

Downing,  George  A.,  prisoner. 
Furbish,  Jairus  H.,  prisoner. 

Gould,  George  H.,  prisoner. 

Hurd,  Joel  B.,  wounded. 

Piper,  Thomas  B., 

missing;  never  heard  from,  probably 
killed. 


Company  B. 

Captain  Eleazer  W.  Atwood,  prisoner. 

First  Lieutenant  Fred  H.  Beecher,  wounded  July  2d. 
Second  Lieutenant  Melvin  C.  Wadsworth,  prisoner. 


sergeants. 

Charles  E.  Deering,  prisoner.  Gustavus  Moore,  prisoner. 

Corporal  A.  W.  McCausland,  wounded. 


Austin,  Henry  D.,  missing. 
Ewer,  Henry  A.,  wounded. 
Palmer,  John,  prisoner;  paroled. 
Robinson,  William  H., 
wounded  and  prisoner. 


PRIVATES. 

Bruce,  William  W.,  missing. 
Huntington,  William  H.,  killed, 
Phillips,  Charles  M.,  wounded. 
Thayer,  Adin  B.,  missing. 


Company  C. 


Second  Lieutenant  George  D.  Bisbee,  prisoner. 

Sergeant  Charles  N.  Adams,  prisoner. 

CORPORALS. 

Francis  A.  Crane,  George  H.  Farnham,  wounded. 

bfykflfe:dneVerheard  fr°m  since'  prob‘  John  M.  Keene,  prisoner;  paroled. 


60 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Dorillus  Hobbs,  pris’r;  died  in  prison.  William  N.  Yeaton,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Bartlett,  Nathan,  Jr.,  Blackwell,  William  T., 

prisoner;  died  in  prison.  prisoner;  paroled. 

Brown,  Orville,  wounded.  Butterfield,  HenryJ.,  killed. 

Butterfield,  Martin,  prisoner;  paroled.  Chaney,  Farwell,  prisoner;  paroled. 
Chandler,  Alphonso  L.,  Davis,  Colamore  P.,  pris’r;  escaped. 

prisoner;  escaped.  Newton,  Abraham,  prisoner. 

Hinds,  David  H.,  wounded.  Stratton,  Albion  W.,  wounded. 

Reed,  Elias,  wounded. 


Company  D. 


Captain  Oliver  H.  Lowell,  killed. 

First  Lieutenant  Samuel  H.  Plummer,  wounded. 

Sergeant  John  M.  Webster,  prisoner. 

CORPORALS. 

Benjamin  F.  Fuller,  wounded.  Laforest  Kimball,  wounded. 

Charles  H.  Putnam,  Sanford  M.  Reed,  missing, 

prisoner ; died  in  prison. 

PRIVATES. 


Adams,  Hosea, 

wounded ; prisoner ; died  in  prison. 
Bean,  Peter  T.,  prisoner. 

Foster,  John  F., 

missing ; not  heard  from,  probably  killed. 
Park,  Silas  A.,  killed. 

Rider,  Charles  D.,  wounded. 

Smith,  Charles,  wounded. 

Twitchell,  Fordyce  P.,  prisoner. 


Bancroft,  Columbus,  killed. 

Downey,  John, 
missing ; not  heard  from, probably  killed. 
Gray,  Jr.,  Samuel,  killed. 

Richards,  Prentiss  M.,  prisoner. 
Roberts,  Albert  W.,  prisoner. 

Stevens,  Charles  H., 
missing ; not  heard  from, probably  killed. 


Company  E. 

Captain  William  A.  Stevens,  wounded,  prisoner  ; paroled. 
Second  Lieutenant  Aubrey  Leavitt,  wounded. 


SERGEANTS. 

Martin  B.  Soule,  wounded.  Luther  Bradford,  prisoner. 

Edwin  C.  Stevens,  prisoner.  Joseph  G.  Lamb,  prisoner. 


CORPORALS. 


Consider  F.  Blaisdell,  prisoner.  Harrison  Merchant,  pris’er;  paroled. 
Octavius  H.  Tubbs,  prisoner. 

PRIVATES. 


Abbott,  Charles,  prisoner. 

Fales,  Curtis  T.,  prisoner. 

Hammond,  George  C.,  pris’r;  paroled. 
Lyford,  James  M.,  prisoner. 

Mills,  Albion  B.,  wounded. 

Priest,  Hiram  T.,  killed. 

Tibbetts,  Andrew  J.,  prisoner. 
Webber,  Virgil  H.,  killed. 


Bates,  William  T.,  killed. 

Foster,  William  G.,  wounded. 

Hoyt,  Stephen  A.,  prisoner. 

Lyon,  Charles  C.,  wounded. 

Monk,  Isaac  J.,  prisoner;  paroled. 
Thomas,  David  S.,  prisoner;  paroled. 
Webber,  Gustavus  V.,  wounded. 
Winship,  Charles  P.,  wounded. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


61 


Company  F. 

Captain  Thomas  F.  Wentworth,  prisoner. 

First  Lieutenant  George  A.  Deering,  prisoner. 


Charles  W.  Ross,  prisoner. 

William  Cannell,  killed. 

Andrews,  Abram  S.,  prisoner. 
Burnham,  George  R.,  wounded. 
Greene,  Joseph,  prisoner. 
Palmer,  George,  wounded. 
Smith,  George  W.,  prisoner. 


SERGEANTS. 

John  McPhee,  prisoner. 
CORPORALS. 

Edward  L.  Varney,  prisoner. 

PRIVATES. 

Barker,  Levi  D.,  prisoner. 
Fenderson,  Benjamin,  wounded. 
Harding,  John  F.,  prisoner. 
Powers,  Albert,  prisoner. 
Tibbetts,  Sheldon  H.,  wounded, 


Company  G. 

Sergeant  Byron  D.  Babcock,  wounded  and  prisoner. 

Corporal  Gorham  Lord,  prisoner. 

PRIVATES. 

Emery,  Luke,  prisoner.  Fairbrother,  Frank,  killed. 

Farnham,  Samuel  T.,  prisoner.  Gibbs,  Thomas  A.,  prisoner. 
Hodgkins,  Jacob  T.,  wounded,  pris’r.  Pullen,  Harrison,  killed. 

Quint,  George  R.,  wounded.  Quint,  William  F.,  prisoner. 

Snow,  Daniel  B.,  prisoner.  Wade,  Gardiner  B.,  prisoner. 

Williamson,  Boardman,  wounded.  Works,  Lewis,  prisoner;  paroled. 


Company  H. 

Second  Lieutenant  James  U.  Childs,  prisoner. 

Corporal  Charles  L.  Favour,  wounded. 

PRIVATES. 

Chick,  Winfield  S.,  wounded.  Clement,  Samuel  H.,  prisoner. 

Day,  Calvin,  killed.  Hayes,  Charles  J.,  missing. 

Neal,  Adam  J.,  wounded.  Redding,  George  F., 

prisoner;  died  in  prison. 

Company  I. 

Captain  William  H.  Waldron,  wounded. 

First  Lieutenant  Lewis  C.  Bisbee,  wounded  and  prisoner. 

Sergeant  Zelotes  Rowe,  prisoner;  died  in  prison. 


CORPORALS. 

John  S.  Brown,  pris’r;  died  in  prison.  William  Davis,  wounded. 
Hosea  D.  Manley,  missing.  George  D.  Marston, 

killed  or  died  of  wounds. 


PRIVATES. 


Anderson,  George  W.,  missing. 
Blake,  Isaac  A.,  killed. 

Estes,  Jeremiah,  prisoner. 

Garcelon,  Benjamin  F.,  prisoner. 
Patten,  Lora  S.,  missing. 

Stover,  Oliver,  pris’r;  died  in  prison. 


Batchelder,  William  H.,  wounded. 
Davis,  Robert,  wounded. 

Farris,  Freeman  H.,  wounded. 
Holmes,  Stewart,  missing. 

Piper,  George  S.,  missing. 


62 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  K. 

Captain  Stephen  C.  Whitehouse,  killed. 

SERGEANTS. 

Francis  C.  Mayo,  prisoner.  Joseph  B.  Varnum,  prisoner. 

CORPORALS. 

Charles  T.  Choate,  prisoner.  Frank  Devereaux,  killed. 

Charles  A.  Devereaux,  wounded.  Albert  C.  Stevens,  wounded. 


Bickford,  Elisha  F.,  killed. 
Bowden,  Frank  M.,  killed. 
Cunningham,  Edward,  prisoner. 
Marks,  James  B.,  prisoner. 
Sanborn,  Alonzo  B.,  wounded. 
Wescott,  Henry  B.,  prisoner. 


PRIVATES. 

Bickford,  Isaac  B.,  prisoner. 
Butler,  Henry  B.,  prisoner. 
Low,  Reuben  A.,  wounded. 
Morgrage,  Andrew  J.,  prisoner. 
Savage,  Hiram,  killed. 

Wilson,  Thomas  J.,  prisoner. 


Note  on  the  foregoing  report  of  casualties. 

The  foregoing  list  shows  the  following  totals  : 

Killed:  officers,  2;  men,  19;  total,  21.  Wounded:  offi- 
cers, 8;  men,  45;  total,  53.  Prisoners  and  missing : officers, 
9;  men,  88;  total,  97.  Missing,  never  heard  from  : 5 men. 
Total  loss,  176.  Seven  of  the  wounded  were  captured. 

This  differs  widely  from  the  inscription  upon  the  monu- 
ment and  official  report  of  casualties  made  shortly  after  the 
battle.  The  latter  gives  the  losses  as  follows  : 

Killed,  9 ; wounded,  59  ; captured,  164.  Total  loss,  232. 

This  discrepancy  is  partly  explained  by  the  following  con- 
siderations : 

1.  The  official  report  was  based  naturally  on  the  results 
of  the  roll-call  of  the  regiment  after  the  disaster  of  the  day  on 
the  evening  of  July  1st.  It  is  undoubted  that  many  then 
properly  reported  as  prisoners  or  missing  contrived  to  escape 
or  find  their  way  back  on  the  next  and  following  days ; and 
probable  that  many  who  were  both  wounded  and  captured  were 
originally  placed  in  both  lists. 

2.  As  to  the  discrepancies  in  the  lists  of  killed  and 
wounded,  it  is  to  be  said  that  many  at  first  reported  wounded 
proved  to  be  mortally  wounded,  and  when  these  died  soon 
after,  they  are  now  properly  placed  on  the  lists  of  the  killed, 
and  deducted,  of  course,  from  the  wounded. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


63 


3.  There  is  a considerable  number  hitherto  borne  on  the 
rolls  of  the  Adjutant-General  of  Maine,  and  also  of  the  Adju- 
tant-General of  the  U.  S.  Army,  as  missing  in  action,  who 
were  seen  in  the  line  of  battle  bearing  themselves  bravely,  but 
not  accounted  for  at  its  close.  Some  in  the  above  list  who 
were  so  seen  and  who  have  never  been  heard  from  since,  now 
thirty-three  years,  have  been  placed  above  in  a separate  list, 
and  several  others  are  almost  as  clearly  entitled  to  be  so  dis- 
criminated. In  truth,  these  might  properly  and  with  a high 
degree  of  probable  truth  be  borne  on  the  lists  of  the  killed. 

We  cannot  refrain  from  expressing  the  feeling  that  such  a 
rule  should  be  applied  by  authority  of  Congress  to  all  cases  of 
faithful  and  honorable  record  where  men  seen  in  their  place  in 
a disastrous  battle  of  our  war  for  the  Union,  and  never  heard 
from  again,  should  no  longer  have  their  honorable  title  clouded 
by  so  ambiguous  a final  report  as  "missing.” 


ADDRESS  OF  GENERAL  CHAMBERLAIN. 

General  Chamberlain’s  response  to  the  toast  " Gettysburg  ” 
at  a banquet  in  honor  of  the  Sixteenth  Maine  Infantry  and  the 
Fifth  Battery  at  the  city  of  Gardiner. 

Comrades  of  the  Sixteenth  and  of  the  Fifth  Battery: 

It  is  an  honor  to  be  held  worthy  of  your  remembrance  on  an  occasion 
like  this.  The  reason  of  it  is  to  be  found  in  your  own  generous  hearts. 
Something  there  may  be  in  the  suggestion  that  the  flag  of  the  Sixteenth  in 
the  field  was  finally  furled  within  my  own  lines.  In  the  closing  days  of  our 
service,  when  all  those  varied  experiences  grouped  under  the  wide  and 
deep  word,  casualties,  ” together  with  the  gradual  expiration  of  terms  of 
enlistment,  brought  men  of  the  same  state  nearer  and  nearer  together,  it 
happened  that  the  men  of  the  Sixteenth  left  in  the  field  (as  had  been  those 
of  the  Second  and  the  Sharpshooters)  were  consolidated  with  those  of  my 
old  regiment,  the  Twentieth,  and  so  were  mustered  out  of  the  service  in 
the  division  of  which  I was  the  commanding  officer.  I have  evidence  of  my 
ability  at  that  time  to  recognize  merit  in  that  I,  forthwith  upon  the  opportu- 
nity, invited  one  of  your  gallant  field  officers  to  a place  on  my  staff  (a). 

(a)  Major  Abuer  R.  Small. 


64 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Another  thing  which  perhaps  gives  me  footing  here  is  that  queer  “back 
action  ” attraction  by  which  “extremes  meet.”  This  is  often  from  deep, 
underlying  likeness,  and  not  apparent  antagonism.  Here  it  is  like  service 
in  opposite  extremes  of  position.  You  were  at  one  post  of  peril  and  respon- 
sibility; I was  at  another,  the  most  remote  from  you  in  place,  but  so  similar 
in  circumstance,  that  I can  understand  and  appreciate  all  your  experience. 
With  you,  on  the  first  day,  the  army  put  her  right  foot  forward;  with  us,  on 
the  second,  she  put  her  left  foot  forward.  She  changed  steps,  but  she  stood. 

You  have  given  me  a great  theme.  It  is  large  enough  to  occupy  our 
minds  as  many  days  as  it  held  us,  body  and  soul,  breasting  that  tidal  wave 
of  July,  1863.  I have  not  now,  for  this,  so  many  minutes  at  my  disposal.  I 
pass  it  with  a glance. 

Gettysburg  was  a great  battle;  — its  action,  its  tension,  its  hazards,  its 
consequences.  In  it  were  involved  questions  of  gravest  import,  the  decision 
of  which  makes  history;  interests  social,  political,  moral,  personal;  of 
gravest  import  for  ourselves,  for  others,  for  our  Country,  for  man  every- 
where;— for  the  present  time,  and  for  the  future,  for  which  also  we  hold  a 
trust.  The  pressing  question  before  us  was  whether  we  had  a Country; 
whether  we  were  a people,  or  only  a populace;  whether  we  were  a mere 
chance  partnership  holding  only  by  human  will,  or  a Nation,  constituted  in 
the  purpose  and  calling  of  Divine  Providence,  bound  together  for  the  noblest 
ends  of  living  by  ties  of  mutual  interest  and  honor, — bonds  both  of  love  and 
of  law.  All  the  great  ruling  sentiments  which  have  their  vital  source  in  this 
idea, — patriotism,  loyalty,  self-devotion  for  the  sake  of  others, — nay,  what 
we  consider  the  supreme  of  earthly  blessings, — largest  scope  for  individual 
life,  endowments,  powers,  genius,  character, — these  were  the  prize  for  which 
we  wrestled  in  that  terrible  arena.  More  than  this.  Involved  here,  too, 
were  widest  human  interests.  We  fought  for  the  worth  of  manhood;  for 
law  and  liberty,  which  mean  freedom  for  every  man  to  make  the  most  of 
himself,  with  good-will  of  all  others,  without  oppression  or  depression. 

We  had  a deep,  inward  vision  of  this  at  the  time,  though  unspoken  and 
perhaps  unclear;  but  no  man  even  now  can  realize  in  thought,  or  recognize 
in  fact,  all  the  reach  of  good  coming  forth  out  of  that  struggle  and  that 
victory  for  the  Country  and  for  mankind.  But  I must  leave  that  line  of 
thought  with  you. 

Looked  at  in  its  outward  aspect,  this  battle  will  be  a great  example  in 
military  history, — a study  in  military  science; — the  strong  features  of  the 
ground  affording  great  variety  of  offensive  and  defensive  measures,  of  grand 
and  minor  tactics,  in  a sudden  and  unplanned  great  battle;  not  without 
exemplification,  too,  of  the  tactics  of  the  moral  forces  and  the  desperate 
strategy  of  sacrifice.  In  its  inward  aspect,  example,  also,  of  the  value  of 
character  in  the  stress  and  strain  of  battle,  where  mature  experience  and 
intelligent  comprehension  have  enforced  the  lesson  that  manly  fortitude, 
heroic  valor,  and  pride  of  honor  must  be  organized  into  the  habit  of  disci- 
pline and  unquestioning  obedience,  without  which  all  generalship  is  vain. 
But  this  thought,  also,  leading  so  far  and  so  deep,  I must  leave  for  you  to  finish. 

Many  have  claimed  the  honor  of  selecting  the  final  standing-ground  of 
our  great  defense.  To  this  sudden  change  of  position,  some  participants 
were  “accessory  before  the  fact,”  and  some  “after  the  fact.”  But  if  there 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT CHAMBERLAIN’S  ADDRESS. 


65 


was  any  selection  here,  it  was  a very  “natural  selection.”  Whether,  in 
every  instance,  it  led  to  the  “survival  of  the  fittest,”  there  may  be  some 
question.  The  manner  of  its  occupancy  is  not  suggestive  of  deliberate  pre- 
meditation, but  our  people  certainly  may  be  said  to  have  chosen  this  ground 
and  promptly  taken  it,  in  decided  preference  to  matters  and  things  they  had 
found  at  the  further  front. 

But  who,  let  me  ask,  made  it  possible  to  select  this  ground  but  the 
men  who  on  that  first  of  July,  all  day  long,  held  Lee’s  advance  at  bay,  until 
our  scattered  corps  could  come  up  by  forced  marches  and  take  advantage 
of  the  field  ? Who  but  John  Buford  with  his  cavalry,  and  Reynolds  with  his 
First  Corps, — you  of  his  infantry  and  artillery, — with  masterly  skill,  stub- 
born courage,  and  unexampled  devotion,  wrought  that  marvelous  opening 
by  which  it  was  Meade,  and  not  Lee,  who  secured  that  heart  of  hills  made 
awful  in  memory  and  immortal  in  history  ? That  magnificent  fighting  of  the 
First  Corps,  I do  not  know  where  it  was  ever  surpassed! 

But  my  theme  grows  intense  as  it  narrows  and  nears.  I know  how  you 
of  the  Fifth  Battery,  after  holding  your  salient  angle  at  the  front  until  it  was 
an  island  in  the  raging  sea  of  foes,  galloped  straight  through  their  envel- 
oping masses,  through  embarrassing  masses  of  fugitives  as  well,  and  with 
your  brazen  throats  calling  a halt  to  the  astonished  enemy  thinking  to  sweep 
away  our  right  flank,  where  for  a sublime  moment  you  alone  gave  check 
to  the  battle  tide. 

I know  what  you  men  of  the  Sixteenth  did,  when  your  General  of 
Division,  seeing  that  it  must  be  a stricken  field,  and  that  he  must  save  what 
he  could  of  his  command  by  the  last  resort  of  falling  back  with  his  main 
body  while  a few  should  hold  the  fighting  front,  and  that  this  could  be  done 
only  by  men  who  would  make  a stand  equal  in  every  test  of  character  to 
the  desperate  charge  of  a “forlorn  hope,”  calling  to  Colonel  Tilden,  said: 
“Take  that  hill  and  hold  it  at  any  cost!”  I know  how  you  stood,  and 
where,  and  when,  and  at  what  cost!  Your  General  knew  what  men  you 
were.  You  knew  perfectly  well  what  your  service  was  to  be.  It  is  a terrible 
duty,  but  a glorious  honor.  You  saw  what  was  coming,  front  and  left  and 
right.  You  saw  the  last  of  the  Union  army  leave  the  field.  You  saw  the 
blades  of  the  great  shears  coming  down  and  down,  and  closing  in  and  in- 
and  you  knew  they  must  meet,  and  cut  and  crush  all  that  was  between. 
But  you  stood;  you  fought  it  out  to  the  last  and  “at  any  cost”  indeed. 
Environed,  enveloped,  crushed,  overwhelmed, — as  truly  heroic,  as  much 
to  be  held  in  highest  honor  and  dearest  memory,  as  if  you  had  died  at  your 
posts,  every  man  of  you! 

Some  such  example  as  yours,  the  great  Apostle  must  have  had  in  mind 
when  he  exhorts  his  followers  to  ‘ ‘ put  on  the  whole  armor  of  God,  that  ye 
may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having  done  all,  to  sta?id.” 

So  many  of  you  were  captured, — not  because  you  were  placed  in  a 
false  position,  with  flank  unguarded  and  rear  cut  off;  not  because  you  were 
not  well  handled;  not  because  you  were  “caught  napping”  or  “cooking 
coffee”;  but  because  you  would  not  yield  your  post,  though  disaster  and 
death  swirled  and  swept  around  and  over  you. 

Your  colors,  it  was  said,  were  lost.  That  word  came  to  me  when,  on 
the  morning  of  the  second,  I reached  the  crest  far  to  the  rear  of  that  where 


66 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


you  had  stood;  and  I felt  a shock,  but  not  of  shame.  For  I knew  something 
terrible  must  have  befallen,  and  that  there  could  have  been  no  dishonor 
where  you  were.  But  when  I came  to  know  the  truth  of  it  all,  I saw  that 
instead  of  your  colors  being  lost,  they  were  eternally  saved!  Not  laid 
down,  but  lifted  up;  not  captured  nor  surrendered,  but  translated, — the 
shadow  lost  in  substance!  The  flag, — it  is  the  symbol  of  the  Country’s 
honor,  power,  law,  and  life.  It  is  the  ensign  of  loyalty,  the  bond  of  brother- 
hood for  those  who  stand  under  it;  a token  and  an  inspiration.  Hence  it  is 
held  sacred  by  the  soldier;  as  in  great  moments  it  is  also  by  the  citizen. 
All  which  that  flag  symbolized  you  had  illustrated  and  impersonated;  had 
absorbed  into  your  thoughts  and  hearts — if  I should  not  rather  say,  itself  had 
absorbed  your  thoughts  and  hearts, — your  service  and  suffering  into  its  own 
deeper  meaning  and  dearer  honor.  Now  it  had  done  all  a symbol  could  do; 
you  had  stood  for  all  it  stood  for.  Now  the  supreme  moment  had  come.  Noth- 
ing could  be  averted;  nothing  could  be  resisted;  nothing  could  be  escaped. 
That  was  an  awful  moment;  passing  that  of  death,  it  seems  to  me.  Then 
the  soul  is  born  anew.  No  thought  of  yielding  up  the  token  of  the  Country’s 
honor  enters  the  heart  of  any  one  of  you,  though  it  has  fulfilled  its  ends; 
though  you  are  to  go  to  prison  and  to  death.  Your  Colonel,  calm  and 
dauntless, — commander  still, — bids  you  break  the  staff  that  had  borne  it 
aloft,  and  tear  that  symbol  single  as  your  souls  into  as  many  pieces  as  you 
had  bosoms,  and  shelter  them  with  your  lives,  lest  that  flag  be  touched  by 
hostile  hand,  or  triumphed  over  by  living  man!  And  they  went  with  you  to 
prison.  And  these  bars  and  stars  next  your  hearts  helped  you  to  endure 
those  other  bars,  besetting  you  because  you  were  true;  helped  you  to  look 
up  to  those  other  stars,  where  we  dream  all  is  serene  and  safe  and  free. 
[Here  the  long  repressed  feelings  of  the  hearers  broke  into  wildest  demon- 
stration, in  the  midst  of  which  a member  of  the  regiment  arose  and  took 
from  his  breast  pocket  a star  of  the  old  flag,  at  which  the  assembly  lost  all 
control  of  itself;  and  the  General  continued.]  Yes,  and  through  this  tumult 
of  cheers  and  tears,  I see  that  you  hold  them  still  to  your  hearts,  precious 
beyond  words,  radiant  with  the  glory  of  service  and  suffering  nobly  borne; 
potent  to  transmit  to  other  souls  the  power  that  has  made  them  glorious! 

Lost?  There  is  a way  of  losing  that  is  finding.  When  soul  overmasters 
sense;  when  the  noble  and  divine  self  overcomes  the  lower  self;  when  duty 
and  honor  and  love, — immortal  things, — bid  the  mortal  perish!  It  is  only 
when  a man  supremely  gives  that  he  supremely  finds. 

That  was  your  sacrifice;  that  is  your  reward. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

BY  LIEUTENANT  FRANCIS  WIGGIN. 

The  Sixteenth  Regiment  of  Infantry  for  three  years’  service 
was  authorized  by  a call  from  the  War  Department  of  May  21, 
1862,  for  the  enrolment  of  fifty  thousand  troops  to  be  drilled 
and  held  in  reserve,  to  be  drawn  upon  as  needed.  At  that 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


67 


time  it  was  supposed  by  those  in  authority,  and  by  people  gen- 
erally, that  the  six  hundred  thousand  soldiers  in  the  field  would 
be  amply  sufficient  for  the  putting  down  of  the  Rebellion.  The 
seven  days’  battles  in  the  vicinity  of  Richmond,  and  the  falling 
back  of  McClellan’s  army  to  Harrison  Landing,  undeceived  the 
country  as  to  the  magnitude  of  the  task  on  hand,  and  a call  for 
three  hundred  thousand  additional  troops  was  issued,  the  fifty 
thousand  under  the  call  of  May  21st  being  included  in  the 
latter  call. 

Although  recruiting  for  the  regiment  commenced  in  May, 
it  was  not  till  August  13th  that  the  complement  was  full.  The 
regiment  on  that  date  consisted  of  960  enlisted  men  and  39 
commissioned  officers.  The  organization  was  as  follows  : 

FIELD,  STAFF,  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Asa  W.  Wildes,  Skowhegan. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Charles  W.  Tilden,  Castine. 

Major,  Augustus  B.  Farnham,  Bangor. 

Adjutant,  Abner  R.  Small,  Waterville. 

Quartermaster,  Isaac  N.  Tucker,  Gardiner. 

Surgeon,  Charles  Alexander,  Farmington. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Joseph  B.  Baxter,  Gorham. 

Chaplain,  George  Bullen,  Skowhegan. 

Sergeant-Major,  Francis  A.  Wildes,  Skowhegan. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  George  W.  Brown,  Augusta. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Charles  H.  Parlin,  Skowhegan. 

Hospital  Steward,  William  W.  Eaton,  Brunswick. 

Drum-Major,  William  H.  Palmer,  Calais. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  Charles  A.  Williams,  Skowhegan. 

First  Lieutenant,  S.  Forrest  Robinson,  Skowhegan. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Isaac  A.  Pennell,  New  Portland. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  Charles  K.  Hutchins,  Augusta. 

First  Lieutenant,  Eleazer  W.  Atwood,  Gardiner. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  W.  Edwards,  Gorham. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  Daniel  Marston,  Phillips. 

First  Lieutenant,  Hovey  C.  Austin,  Presque  Isle. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Marshall  S.  Smith,  East  Livermore. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Moses  W.  Rand,  Waterford. 

First  Lieutenant,  Humphrey  E.  Eustis,  Dixfield. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  P.  Herrick,  North  Yarmouth. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  Arch  D.  Leavitt,  Turner. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  E.  Brooks,  Skowhegan. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  A.  Stevens,  Waterville. 


68  MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  Thomas  E.  Wentworth,  Gorham. 

First  Lieutenant,  Oliver  H.  Lowell,  Gorham. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  A.  Deering,  Saco. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  S.  Clifford  Belcher,  Farmington. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  H.  Malbon,  Skowhegan. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Isaac  H.  Thompson,  Anson. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  John  Ayer,  Bangor. 

First  Lieutenant,  Ira  S.  Libby,  Limerick. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Israel  H.  Washburn,  Orono. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  William  H.  Waldron,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  Bray,  Turner. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  A.  Garcelon,  Lewiston. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Stephen  C.  Whitehouse,  Newcastle. 

First  Lieutenant,  Augustus  T.  Somerby,  Ellsworth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Augustus  C.  Peters,  Bluehill. 

Company  A was  raised  in  Somerset  and  Kennebec  counties  ; 
Company  B in  Kennebec  county ; Company  C in  Franklin  and 
Oxford  counties ; Company  D in  Oxford  and  Cumberland 
counties  ; Company  E in  Androscoggin,  Kennebec,  and  Penob- 
scot counties  ; Company  F in  York  and  Cumberland  counties  ; 
Company  G in  Somerset  and  Franklin  counties ; Company  H 
in  Waldo  and  Penobscot  counties ; Company  I in  Kennebec 
and  Androscoggin  counties  ; Company  K in  Hancock  and  Lin- 
coln counties ; and  men  from  all  parts  of  the  state  were  scat- 
tered throughout  the  companies. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  into  United  States  service  at 
Augusta,  August  14,  1862.  August  19th  it  started  for  Wash- 
ington, where  it  arrived  on  the  21st,  and  on  the  22d  it  marched 
across  Lons;  Bridge  to  Ar! burton  Heights.  Here  the  several 
companies  were  distributed  among  the  forts  on  the  Heights, 
for  the  purpose  of  being  drilled  in  heavy  artillery  practice,  under 
the  instruction  of  the  officers  and  sergeants  of  the  14th  Mass. 

Three  weeks  were  spent  here,  and  the  men  were  fast  acquir- 
ing the  bearing  and  skill  of  soldiers,  when  the  defeat  of  General 
Pope’s  army  at  the  Second  Bull  Run  battle,  and  the  invasion 
of  Maryland  by  General  Lee,  called  every  available  regiment 
to  the  field.  On  September  6th  at  eleven  p.m.  came  the  order 
to  rendezvous  at  Fort  Tillinghast,  leaving  tents,  knapsacks 
and  overcoats  behind,  whence  we  took  up  the  march  towards 
the  South  Mountain  in  Maryland,  under  command  of  Colonel 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


69 


Wildes,  who  shortly  afterward  gave  over  the  command  to 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Tilden,  who  remained  at  the  head  of  the 
regiment  and  was  promoted  Colonel,  January  8,  1863,  Colonel 
Wildes  having  resigned.  On  September  9th  the  regiment  was 
assigned  to  Hartsuff’s  brigade,  Ricketts’  division,  Hooker’s 
corps.  The  Sixteenth  did  not  participate  in  the  battle  of 
Antietam,  but  marched  over  the  battlefield  the  next  day  after 
the  conflict,  before  the  dead  had  been  buried,  and  went  into 
camp  near  Sharpsburg.  The  men  had  no  shelter-tents  ; knap- 
sacks and  overcoats  had  been  left  at  Arlington  Heights  and 
were  now  stored  in  Washington.  The  men  were  exposed 
to  all  the  inclemencies  of  the  weather  by  night  and  by  day, 
with  only  such  protection  as  could  be  made  from  boughs  and 
fence  rails.  The  services  of  many  a noble  and  patriotic  soldier 
were  lost  to  the  country  by  reason  of  the  two  months’  severe 
and  unnecessary  exposure  to  which  they  were  subjected.  The 
army  was  at  last  put  in  motion  for  Virginia.  To  guard  against 
cold,  rain,  sleet  and  snow  we  were  accustomed  to  wrap  our 
blankets  around  our  shoulders ; and  our  brother  soldiers  in 
other  regiments,  disregarding  our  pitiable  condition,  jeered  at 
us  and  called  us  the  " Blanket  Brigade.”  The  men  of  this  regi- 
ment were  of  that  heroic  temper  which  bears  insult  in  silence. 
They  resolved  that  when  the  proper  time  came  they  would 
show  the  army  and  the  country  of  what  stuff  they  were  made. 
But  in  this  pitiful  plight  they  marched  from  Sharpsburg  to 
Rappahannock  Station,  and  from  that  place  to  Brooke’s  Station 
near  Fredericksburg,  where  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  November 
27,  1862,  they  received  their  knapsacks  and  overcoats  from 
Washington.  Never  had  men  more  cause  for  thankfulness 
than  the  patient,  shivering  men  of  the  Sixteenth. 

Col.  Adrian  R.  Root,  of  the  94th  N.  Y.,  had  then  the  com- 
mand of  the  brigade  to  which  the  Sixteenth  had  lately  been 
assigned,  the  other  regiments  being  the  94th  and  104th  N.  Y. 
and  the  107th  Penn. 

The  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  December  12-13,  1862,  was 
a disastrous  and  overwhelming  defeat  for  the  Union  army ; 
but  there  never  was  a battle  where  greater  bravery  was  shown 
than  by  the  men  of  the  North  at  Fredericksburg.  The  Six- 


70 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


teenth  Maine  was  in  General  Franklin’s  grand  division,  on  the 
left  of  the  Union  position.  At  about  two  o’clock  p.  m.  the 
brigade  was  ordered  into  action.  The  regiment  numbered  at 
this  time  417  guns.  The  enemy  were  posted  behind  the  Fred- 
ericksburg and  Richmond  railroad,  which  they  were  using  for 
a breastwork.  Under  cover  of  a ridge  our  brigade  removed 
knapsacks  and  fixed  bayonets.  It  then  advanced  steadily  over 
the  ridge  and  at  the  order,  " Double  quick  ! Charge  ! ” the  men 
went  forward  with  a cheer,  under  a terrific  and  destructive  fire, 
but  with  no  wavering.  The  Sixteenth  remembers  the  taunts 
and  jeers  of  the  last  three  months  and  feels  that  its  opportunity 
has  come.  Ahead  of  all  the  others  it  rushes  over  the  railroad 
embankment  and  springs  down  upon  an  astonished  and  terrified 
line  of  battle.  The  rebels  throw  down  their  arms  and  give 
themselves  up.  Over  two  hundred  prisoners  are  taken  and 
sent  to  the  rear.  Then  the  Sixteenth  advanced  to  the  edge  of 
the  woods  and  fired  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition  at  a second 
line  of  battle,  and  would  have  charged  a second  time  if  it  had 
not  been  restrained.  Its  loss  in  this  battle  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing  was  two  hundred  and  thirty-one  (a) — more  than 
one-half  the  number  engaged.  The  missing  were  mostly 
wounded  and  prisoners.  The  losses  in  the  regiment  amounted 
to  one-half  the  losses  in  the  whole  brigade.  Colonel  Root,  the 
brigade  commander,  in  his  official  report  spoke  in  the  highest 
terms  of  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Sixteenth 
in  this  battle.  He  further  says:  "Previous  to  the  action 
thirty-eight  men  of  the  regiment  had  volunteered  to  do  duty 
with  Hall’s  battery,  and  I am  assured  by  Captain  Hall  that 
their  conduct  was  creditable  in  the  highest  degree.”  The  injus- 
tice of  the  past  was  overcome  ; the  voice  of  insult  and  reproach 
was  forever  silenced ; the  term  " Blanket  Brigade  ” was  never 
heard  again. 

The  monotony  of  camp  life  in  winter  quarters  near  Belle 
Plain  was  broken  once  by  a forward  movement  of  the  army  in 
what  is  known  among  soldiers  as  the  " Mud  March  ” of  J anuary 
19-23,  1863,  in  which  the  severe  experiences  of  cold,  wet, 
mud  and  hunger  were  intensified  by  the  sensation  of  a com- 
plete failure  in  our  attempt. 

(a)  See  nominal  list  in  1862,  A.  G.  R.  Maine,  page  877. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


71 


On  April  29th  the  regiment  took  its  place  in  the  move- 
ments around  Chancell  or  sville.  During  this  battle  Adjutant 
A.  E.  Small  of  the  Sixteenth  made  a most  daring  and  success- 
ful reconnaissance  on  the  right  of  our  army,  and  brought  back 
important  information  concerning  the  withdrawal  of  the  rebel 
forces  and  their  movement  toward  Fredericksburg.  The  losses 
of  the  Sixteenth  in  this  battle  had  not  been  great,  but  the 
results  of  exposure  and  fatigue  had  been  fearful,  and  the  whole 
army  was  disgusted  at  the  result  of  a campaign  that  was  so 
well  begun. 

At  the  opening  of  the  Gettysburg  campaign  the  94th  and 
104th  N.  Y.,  the  107th  Penn.,  the  13th  Mass.,  and  the  Sixteenth 
Maine  constituted  the  first  brigade  of  the  second  division, 
First  corps.  On  the  morning  of  June  12th  tents  were  struck 
and  the  regiment  began  its  long  march  northward,  with  281 
men  and  32  officers.  June  15th  it  reached  Centreville  ; on  the 
19th  Guilford,  where  it  remained  in  .camp  till  the  23d.  The 
march  from  Fredericksburg  had  been  most  arduous  ; the  tem- 
perature 90  degrees  above  zero  every  day,  and  the  terrors  of 
sunstroke  added  to  the  fatigue  and  thirst.  On  the  29th  of 
June  our  corps  reached  Emmitsburg. 

On  the  morning  of  July  1st  we  were  suddenly  marched  in 
the  direction  of  Gettysburg,  the  sound  of  cannonading  quick- 
ening every  step  until  the  brigade  was  put  into  position  near 
the  seminary.  Not  long  afterward  it  was  ordered  to  "the 
front,”  where  it  commenced  its  action  by  a bayonet  charge 
executed  in  such  fashion  as  to  drive  the  enemy  entirely  from 
their  position.  The  brilliant  but  terrible  chapter  of  the  part  of 
the  Sixteenth  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  need  not  be  recounted 
here,  as  it  is  set  forth,  faithfully  and  fully,  in  a preceding 
account.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  its  heroism  and  devotion 
make  a conspicuous  instance  of  service  and  suffering,  which 
history  has  not  failed  to  note. 

The  little  remnant  — thirty-eight  men  and  four  officers  — 
which  managed  to  escape  the  terrible  catastrophe  of  the  after- 
noon of  July  1st  made  its  stand  with  its  division  on  Cemetery 
Hill  and  rendered  such  service  as  it  could  in  the  second  and 
third  days’  battle. 


72 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  regiment  was  for  a time  almost  unrecognizable  as  such. 
The  Colonel  and  most  of  the  officers  were  prisoners  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy ; its  Adjutant  was  detached  as  acting 
assistant  adjutant-general  of  the  brigade,  and  Major  Leavitt 
exerted  himself  to  bring  together  the  broken  fragments  of  the 
regiment  as  fast  as  circumstances  would  allow.  On  July  18th 
the  First  corps  recrossed  the  Potomac  and  went  into  camp 
near  Waterford,  Ya.  By  a special  order  from  corps  head- 
quarters a detail  from  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  proceed  to 
Maine,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  recruits  and  drafted  men 
to  fill  up  its  depleted  ranks.  Men  were  now  returning  from 
prison  and  from  hospitals,  and  with  the  168  drafted  men  now 
assigned,  the  regiment  began  to  assume  a respectable  appear- 
ance as  to  size.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Farnham  had  returned 
from  severe  illness  at  hospital  and  assumed  command,  and  the 
regiment  was  ready  for  action  early  in  September.  It  partici- 
pated in  all  the  peculiar  movements,  known  among  soldiers  as 
the  "Culpeper  and  Centreville  Express,”  over  the  old  battle- 
fields about  Bull  Run.  On  the  20th  of  November  the  regiment 
numbered  650  men,  and  with  its  two  new  stands  of  colors  sent 
by  friends  in  Maine  it  had  an  appearance  worthy  of  its  early 
days  and  a heart  proud  of  its  later  fame. 

In  the  Mine  Run  campaign  the  regiment  had  something  of 
its  earlier  experience.  Exposure,  fatigue  and  hunger,  sowing 
more  seeds  of  disease  and  death,  began  their  terrible  and  long 
effect.  But  the  prudence  of  General  Meade  doubtless  saved 
us  another  great  slaughter,  even  more  disastrous  than  Freder- 
icksburg. On  December  3d  the  regiment  went  into  winter 
quarters  at  Kelly’s  Ford. 

In  March,  1864,  changes  took  place  in  the  organization  of 
the  army.  The  First  corps,  to  which  the  Sixteenth  had  been 
attached,  was  absorbed  into  the  Fifth  corps,  our  division  con- 
stituting its  Second  division,  under  General  Robinson.  March 
28tli  Colonel  Tilden  returned  to  the  regiment,  having  boldly 
and  skilfully  escaped  from  Libby  Prison  through  the  famous 
Rose  Tunnel.  On  the  day  following,  the  men  of  the  Sixteenth 
presented  to  him  the  magnificent  black  horse  which  he  rode 
during  the  remainder  of  the  war  and  brought  home  with  him 
when  the  regiment  went  out  of  service. 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


73 


On  May  4,  1864,  commenced  the  campaign  of  the  Wilder- 
ness. The  regiment  was  actively  engaged  in  the  three  battles ; 
its  losses,  however,  were  comparatively  small.  But  in  a des- 
perate charge  on  the  8th  of  May  it  lost  several  of  its  officers 
and  nearly  a hundred  men.  In  the  battle  of  Laurel  Hill  at 
Spotsylvania,  on  the  tenth,  the  regiment  took  a prominent  part 
and  lost  four  officers  and  fifty  men  in  a charge  upon  the 
enemy’s  works.  On  the  twelfth  charged  the  enemy’s  works, 
but  without  success.  No  soldiers  in  the  world  could  have  car- 
ried those  tiers  of  earthworks,  yet  our  division  was  hurled 
against  them  again  and  again.  Major  Leavitt  was  mortally 
wounded  and  every  company  suffered  great  loss.  From  May 
5th  to  the  21st  the  regiment  had  lost  nineteen  men  and  two 
officers  killed  or  mortally  wounded  ; one  hundred  and  sixteen 
men  and  two  officers  wounded,  and  thirty-eight  men  and  two 
officers  missing, — doubtless  taken  prisoners. 

On  May  23d  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  brilliant  engage- 
ment on  the  North  Anna  River,  where  the  enemy  were  repulsed 
with  great  loss.  In  the  severe  battle  of  Bethesda  Church  — 
which  was  our  part  in  the  famous  Cold  Harbor  battle  — the 
regiment  lost  four  men  killed  and  fourteen  wounded. 

On  the  8th  of  June  our  brigade  was  transferred  to  the  Third 
division  of  the  Fifth  corps,  and  took  part  in  the  movements 
and  engagements  about  the  Chickahominy  River.  On  the  16th 
the  brigade  crossed  the  James  River  and  moved  up  toward  the 
outer  defenses  of  Petersburg.  It  had  part  in  the  severe 
actions  of  June  17th  and  18th ; in  the  latter  the  Fifth  corps 
by  desperate  assault  and  with  great  loss  gained  a commanding 
advanced  position  across  the  Norfolk  railroad,  which  was  after- 
wards known  among  our  soldiers  as  "Fort  Hell.”  Thereafter 
the  regiment  shared  the  fortunes  of  the  Fifth  corps  in  the 
entrenchments  in  front  of  Petersburg  and  the  various  opera- 
tions upon  the  enemy’s  right  flank.  It  participated  in  the 
aggressive  movement  of  the  First  corps,  August  18th,  to  extend 
our  lines  to  the  left  beyond  the  Weldon  railroad.  The  enemy 
was  on  the  alert,  taking  advantage  of  every  disjunction  of  our 
troops  in  the  formations  for  battle.  Severe  fighting  occurred 
that  day  and  the  next,  in  a rather  disconnected  way  but  gener- 


74 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ally  with  an  enemy  upon  one  flank  or  the  other.  The  Corps 
however  planted  itself  firmly  and  for  good  astride  the  railroad. 
In  repelling  a front  and  flank  attack  too  long  on  the  19th  the 
Sixteenth,  endeavoring  to  retire,  found  itself  surrounded,  and 
lost  heavily.  During  the  enterprise  it  lost  two  men  killed, 
twenty-eight  wounded,  and  a hundred  and  fifteen  prisoners. 
Among  these  prisoners  were  Colonel  Tilden,  Adjutant  Small, 
Captains  Conley  and  Lord,  Lieutenants  Broughton,  Fitch, 
Chipman  and  Davies.  Colonel  Tilden,  however,  wouldn’t  stay 
captured  and  Lieutenant  Davies  as  well,  although  they  were 
taken  to  Petersburg  and  started  for  Richmond.  They  managed 
at  the  risk  of  their  lives  to  elude  their  guards  and  coolly  return 
to  the  front  with  Confederates  on  all  sides.  Watching  their 
opportunity  they  walked  over  into  their  own  brigade  picket 
line  on  the  twenty-second. 

The  regiment  had  now  been  assigned  to  the  Second  brigade, 
under  General  Baxter.  The  regiment  was  stationed  in  Fort 
Wadsworth  and  there  remained  until  December  5th.  Decem- 
ber 7th  it  took  up  the  march  with  the  Fifth  corps  to  destroy 
the  Weldon  railroad  to  the  North  Carolina  line.  In  this  expe- 
dition it  lost  four  men. 

On  January  1,  1865,  there  were  present  for  duty  in  the 
Sixteenth  sixteen  officers  and  five  hundred  and  twelve  men. 
On  the  5th  of  February  it  moved  to  the  left  and  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Hatcher’s  Run,  losing  one  officer  and  seventy- 
three  men  killed  and  wounded,  including  two  color  bearers. 
On  the  29th  of  March  the  last  campaign  of  the  war  opened,  in 
which  the  Fifth  corps  operated  with  General  Sheridan’s  cav- 
alry ; General  Chamberlain’s  brigade  opening  the  campaign 
with  a decisive  blow  upon  the  enemy  on  the  " Quaker  Road.” 
On  the  White  Oak  Road,  on  the  31st,  the  Sixteenth  lost  one 
man  killed  and  four  wounded,  and  one  officer  and  twenty-three 
men  missing.  In  the  brilliant  action  of  Five  Forks, — a cyclone 
attack  on  the  enemy’s  position,  one  of  the  picturesque  battles  of 
the  war, — the  regiment  was  closely  engaged,  Lieut. -Col.  Farn- 
ham  being  severely  wounded  through  the  lungs  and  one  man 
killed  and  twelve  wounded.  In  the  rapid  and  brilliant  move- 
ments which  taxed  our  men  to  the  utmost,  but  resulted  in 


SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


75 


Lee’s  surrender  at  Appomattox  Court  House,  the  regiment  took 
an  active  and  earnest  part  and  had  the  honor  of  being  at  Appo- 
mattox at  the  time  of  Lee’s  surrender.  After  about  a month 
of  occupation  in  taking  possession  of  Confederate  property 
and  maintaining  and  administering  peace  and  order  along  the 
line  of  the  South  Side  railroad,  the  Fifth  corps  took  up  its 
march  through  Petersburg  and  Richmond  and  across  almost  all 
the  great  and  terrible  battlefields  of  the  war  toward  Wash- 
ington, and  encamped  at  Arlington  Heights  on  the  12th  of 
May.  This  return  march  over  fields  of  such  tremendous  expe- 
riences was  an  incident  never  to  be  forgotten.  The  regiment 
took  its  part  in  that  last  grand  review  of  the  army  in  Wash- 
ington, where  it  laid  down  its  own  arms  before  the  constituted 
authorities  of  the  nation  in  the  most  magnificent  spectacle  ev§r 
beheld  on  this  continent.  On  the  5th  of  June  the  regiment,  as 
such,  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  of  the  United  States  ; its 
later  recruits,  whose  term  of  service  had  not  expired,  were 
assigned  to  the  Twentieth  Maine  regiment.  When  leaving  for 
the  homeward  journey,  on  June  6th,  the  regiment  passing 
through  Washington,  marched  by  the  hospital  where  Colonel 
Farnham  lay,  as  was  then  supposed  at  the  point  of  death,  that 
he  might  take  a last  look  at  the  command  he  loved  so  well. 
Reaching  Augusta  on  the  10th  of  June  the  regiment  was  quar- 
tered in  the  cavalry  barracks,  where  it  was  disbanded  on  the 
16th  and  its  heroic  men,  having  honored  themselves  and  their 
country,  modestly  returned  to  their  place  and  work  as  peaceful 
and  worthy  citizens. 

The  Sixteenth  Maine  Regiment  was  emphatically  a fighting 
regiment.  On  three  several  occasions  it  was  almost  extin- 
guished by  deaths,  wounds  or  capture.  At  Fredericksburg  it 
lost  more  than  half  its  number ; at  Gettysburg  it  had  at  the 
close  of  the  first  day  only  thirty-eight  men  and  four  officers 
left ; at  Laurel  Hill  it  lost  nearly  one-third  of  its  men  ; at  the 
Weldon  Railroad  it  lost  more  than  half  the  men  engaged.  First 
or  last,  every  member  of  its  color-guard  was  killed  or  wounded. 
The  regiment  left  Augusta  in  1862  with  960  enlisted  men.  It 
received  in  all  916  recruits.  It  lost  in  killed  and  mortally 
wounded  10  officers  and  168  men.  It  had  wounded  in  action 


76 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


22  officers  and  266  men.  There  died  of  disease  one  officer  and 
240  men.  It  had  discharged  for  disability  17  officers  and  260 
men.  Resigned  and  discharged  for  promotion,  25  officers ; 
discharged  by  order  and  for  promotion,  126  enlisted  men ; 
missing  in  action  fate  unknown,  deserted,  and  transferred  to 
other  organizations  in  the  service,  673  enlisted  men.  There 
belonged  to  it  during  the  three  years  of  its  existence  1,876 
enlisted  men  and  86  officers,  and  its  total  diminutions  as  above 
stated  for  the  same  period  from  all  causes  were  1,467  men  and 
53  officers;  the  remainder  — 33  officers  and  409  men  — were 
mustered  out  with  the  regiment  or  elsewhere  (a) . It  was 
fortunate  in  its  field  officers,  whose  ability  and  character  com- 
manded respect  and  affection,  and  the  mutual  regard  between 
officers  and  men  of  this  regiment  is  something  perhaps  remark- 
able. It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  this  regiment  will  have 
place  in  history  as  one  of  the  most  intelligent,  patriotic,  relia- 
ble and  faithful  regiments  that  went  out  from  the  State  of 
Maine,  and  one  whose  part  and  office  of  fortitude  and  self- 
sacrifice  on  the  first  day  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  to 
check  the  victorious  advance  of  the  rebel  army  and  enable  the 
shattered  remnants  of  the  First  Corps  to  form  a new  line  on 
Cemetery  Ridge,  thus  having  no  small  part  in  determining  the 
final  fortunes  of  that  memorable  field. 


REGIMENTAL  ROSTER. 


COLONELS. 

Date  of  Commission. 

Aug.  9,  1862.  Asa  W.  Wildes,  resigned  Jan.  7,  1863. 

Feb.  5,  1863.  Charles  W.  Tilden,  brevet  Brigadier-General  March  13, 
1865;  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 


LIEUTENANT-COLONELS. 

June  23,  1862.  Charles  W.  Tilden,  promoted  Colonel. 

Feb.  5,  1863.  Augustus  B.  Farnham,  brevet  Colonel  April  1,  1865; 
mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 


MAJORS. 

Aug.  9,  1S62.  Augustus  B.  Farnham,  promoted  Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Feb.  5,  1863.  Arch  D.  Leavitt,  died  May  31,  1864,  of  wounds  received 
at  Spotsylvania  May  12th. 

(a)  The  figures  are  derived  from  History  of  the  Sixteenth  Maine  by  Major  A.  R. 
Small,  page  323. 


ROSTER  OF  SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT. 


77 


June  i,  1864. 
Oct.  31,  1864. 


Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  9,  1864. 

Aug.  16,  1862. 
Aug.  13,  1864. 


June  3,  1862. 
Nov.  25,  1864. 


July  22,  1862. 
Oct.  24,  1862. 
Feb.  5,  1863. 
Feb.  10,  1865. 


Aug.  2,  1862. 
Dec.  8,  1863. 
Feb.  8,  1865. 


July  29,  1862. 
Nov.  19,  1862. 
Mar.  2,  1863. 

Sept.  15,  1864. 
Aug.  9,  1862. 
Dec.  31,  1862. 
Dec.  9,  1S64. 
Aug.  9,  1862. 
Jan.  28,  1865. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  31,  1862. 
Dec.  1,  1863. 

Nov.  9,  1864. 
Aug.  9,  1862. 
Feb.  5,  1863. 
Mar.  22,  1863. 
Aug.  8,  1864. 

Aug.  9,  1862, 
Aug.  8,  1864. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 

Dec.  26,  1864. 


S.  Clifford  Belcher,  not  mustered,  absent  wounded. 
Abner  R.  Small,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

ADJUTANTS. 

Abner  R.  Small,  promoted  Maj’or. 

Cherbury  F.  Lothrop,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
QUARTERMASTERS. 

Isaac  N.  Tucker,  discharged  July  28,  1864. 

George  W.  Brown,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

SURGEONS. 

Charles  Alexander,  discharged  Nov.  8,  1864. 

William  W.  Eaton,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEONS. 

Joseph  B.  Baxter,  mustered  out  May  23,  1865. 

Warren  Hunter,  resigned  Jan.  24,  1863. 

William  W.  Eaton,  promoted  Surgeon. 

David  P.  Bolster,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

CHAPLAINS. 

George  Bullen,  resigned  Oct.  3,  1863. 

Uriah  Balkam,  discharged  Oct.  8,  1864. 

John  Mitchell,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

captains  . 

Charles  A.  Williams,  Co.  A,  died  Nov.  10,  1862. 

S.  Forest  Robinson,  Co.  A,  resigned  Jan.  24,  1863. 

Isaac  A.  Pennell,  Co.  A,  discharged  for  disability  Oct. 
14,  1864. 

Charles  T.  Hildreth,  Co.  A,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Charles  K.  Hutchins,  Co.  B,  killed  in  battle  Dec.  13,  1862. 
Eleazer  W.  Atwood,  Co.  B,  discharged  Nov.  25,  1864. 
Joseph  H.  Malbon,  Co.  B,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Daniel  Marston,  Co.  C,  discharged  Dec.  22,  1864. 
Edward  F.  Davies,  Co.  C,  mustered  out  June  5,  1S65. 
Moses  W.  Rand,  Co.  D,  died  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Oliver  H.  Lowell,  Co.  D,  killed  in  battle  July  1,  1863. 
Samuel  H.  Plummer,  Co.  D,  discharged  Oct.  20,  1864, 
for  disability. 

William  H.  Broughton,  Co.  D,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Arch  D.  Leavitt,  Co.  E,  promoted  Major. 

William  E.  Brooks,  Co.  E,  resigned  Feb.  26,  1863. 
William  A.  Stevens,  Co.  E,  killed  in  battle  Junai7,  1864. 
Lincoln  K.  Plummer,  Co.  E,  brevet  Major  and  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Mar.  13,  1865;  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Thomas  E.  Wentworth,  Co.  F,  discharged  July  1,  1864. 
George  A.  Deering,  Co.  F,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

S.  Clifford  Belcher,  Co.  G,  discharged  Sept.  13,  1864,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  in  battle  May  8,  1864. 
Isaac  H.  Thompson,  Co.  G,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 


78 

Aug.  16,  1S62. 

May  22,  1863. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 

Dec.  1,  1863. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  1,  1863. 


July  21,  1862. 
Nov.  19,  1S62. 
June  13,  1863. 

Sept.  5,  1864. 
Aug.  9,  1862. 
May  23,  1862. 
Mar.  26,  1863. 


Dec.  9,  1864. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Apr.  io,  1863. 

Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  31,  1862. 
Dec.  1,  1863. 
Nov.  9,  1864. 
Aug.  9,  1862. 
Feb.  5,  1863. 
Mar.  16,  1863. 
Aug.  8,  1864. 

Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  31,  1862. 
Aug.  8,  1864. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  9,  1864. 
Mar.  15,  1865. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  13,  1862. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Aug.  23,  1862. 
Dec.  18,  1863. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 

May  23,  1863. 
Dec.  1,  1863. 
Jan.  28,  1865. 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


John  Ayer,  Co.  H,  died  Feb.  22,  1863,  of  wounds  received 
in  battle  Dec.  13,  1862. 

John  D.  Conley,  Co.  H,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
William  H.  Waldron,  Co.  I,  wounded  and  prisoner  July 
1,  1863;  discharged  Sept.  27,  1863,  for  disability. 
Lewis  C.  Bisbee,  Co.  I,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Stephen  C.Whitehouse,Co.  K,  killed  in  battlejuly  1,  1863. 
Joseph  O.  Lord,  Co.  K,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANTS. 

S.  Forest  Robinson,  Co.  A,  promoted  Captain  Co.  A. 
Isaac  A.  Pennell,  Co.  A,  promoted  Captain  Co.  A. 
Nathan  Fowler,  Co.  A,  discharged  Oct.  26,  1864,  on 
account  of  wounds  received  May  8th. 

S.  P.  Newman  Smythe,  Co.  A,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Eleazer  W.  Atwood,  Co.  B,  promoted  Captain  Co.  B. 
Abner  R.  Small,  Co.  B,  promoted  Adjutant. 

Frederick  H.  Beecher,  Co.  B,  wounded  at  Fredericks- 
burg and  at  Gettysburg;  discharged  Sept.  30,  1864; 
transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Jones  Whitman,  Co.  B,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Hovey  Austin,  Co.  C,  discharged  March  30,  1863. 
Marshall  S.  Smith,  Co.  C,  prisoner  May  5,  1864;  dis- 
charged May  15,  1865. 

Humphrey  E.  Eustis,  Co.  D,  resigned  Dec.  8,  1862. 
Samuel  H.  Plummer,  Co.  D,  promoted  Captain  Co.  D. 
William  H.  Broughton,  Co.  D,  promoted  Captain  Co.  D. 
Atwood  Fitch,  Co.  D,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
William  E.  Brooks,  Co.  E,  promoted  Captain  Co.  E. 
William  A.  Stevens,  Co.  E,  promoted  Captain  Co.  E. 
Lincoln  K.  Plummer,  Co.  E,  promoted  Captain  Co.  E. 
Aubrey  Leavitt,  Co.  E,  brevet  Captain  and  Major  to 
date  March  13,  1865;  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Oliver  H.  Lowell,  Co.  F,  promoted  Captain  Co.  D. 
George  A.  Deering,  Co.  F,  promoted  Captain  Co.  F. 
Cherbury  F.  Lothrop,  Co.  F,  promoted  Adjutant. 
Joseph  H.  Malbon,  Co.  G,  promoted  Captain  Co.  B. 
Lewis  G.  Richards,  Co.  G,  discharged  Feb.  4,  1865. 
Frank  Wiggin,  Co.  G,  mustered  out  June  5,  I865. 

Ira  S.  Libby,  Co.  H,  resigned  Oct.  31,  1862. 

Israel  H.  Washburn,  Co.  H,  resigned  June  12,  1863. 
William  Bray,  Co.  I,  resigned  Aug.,  1862,  not  mustered. 
Lewis  C.  Bisbee,  Co.  I,  promoted  Captain  Co.  I. 

Isaac  H.  Thompson,  Co.  I,  promoted  Captain  Co.  G. 
Augustus  T.  Somerby,  Co.  K,  resigned  March  12,  1863, 
for  disability. 

Joseph  O.  Lord,  Co.  K,  promoted  Captain  Co.  K. 
Edward  F.  Davies,  Co.  K,  promoted  Captain  Co.  C. 
Jabez  P.  Parker,  Co.  K,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 


ROSTER  OF  SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT. 


79 


July  29,  1862. 
Dec.  3,  1862. 
May  22,  1863. 
June  13,  1863. 
Sept.  22,  1864. 

Aug.  9,  1862. 


Jan.  24,  1863. 
Mar.  26,  1863. 
Aug.  19,  1862. 
Apr.  10,  1863. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  31,  1862. 
Dec.  1,  1863. 
Nov.  9,  1864. 
Aug.  9,  1862. 
Mar.  2,  1863. 
May  22,  1863. 
Nov.  25,  1864. 
Dec.  9,  1864. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Mar.  17,  1863. 

Dec.  1,  1863. 
Dec.  9,  1864. 
Aug.  16,  1862. 
Dec.  18,  1863. 
Aug.  2,  1862. 
Dec.  13,  1862. 
May  22,  1863. 

Aug.  16,  1862. 

Nov.  25,  1864. 
Jan.  28,  1865. 

Aug.  16,  1862. 

July  16,  1862. 
May  22,  1863. 
Dec.  i,  1863. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANTS. 

Isaac  A.  Pennell,  Co.  A,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  A. 
Francis  A.  Wildes,  Co.  A,  resigned  Feb.  26,  1863. 
Nathan  Fowler,  Co.  A,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  A. 
Nathaniel  W.  Coston,  Co.  A,  died  May  27,  ’64,  of  wounds. 
William  T.  Dodge,  Co.  A,  brevet  1st  Lieutenant  to  date 
March  13,  1865;  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

George  W.  Edwards,  Co.  B,  died  in  rebel  prison,  May 
27,  1863,  of  wounds  received ; commissioned  1st 
Lieutenant  Co.  B,  not  mustered. 

Frederick  H.  Beecher,  Co.  B,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  B. 
Melvin  C.  Wadsworth,  Co.  B,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Marshall  S.  Smith,  Co.  C,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  C. 
George  D.  Bisbee,  Co.  C,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Henry  P.  Herrick,  Co.  D,  killed  in  battle  Dec.  13,  1862. 
William  H.  Broughton,  Co.  D,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  D. 
Atwood  Fitch,  Co.  D,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  D. 
Charles  H.  Parlin,  Co.  D,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
William  A.  Stevens,  Co.  E,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  E. 
Lincoln  K.  Plummer,  Co.  E,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  E. 
Aubrey  Leavitt,  Co.  E,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  E. 
Jones  Whitman,  Co.  E,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  B. 
Gustavus  Moore,  Co.  E,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
George  A.  Deering,  Co.  F,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  F. 
Daniel  L.  Warren,  Co.  F,  discharged  Oct.  27,  1863,  for 
disability. 

Cherbury  F.  Lothrop,  Co.  F,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  F. 
Daniel  A.  Spearin,  Co.  F,  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 
Isaac  H.  Thompson,  Co.  G,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  I. 
Isaac  R.  Whitney,  Co.  G,  discharged  Dec.  17,  1864. 
Israel  H.  Washburn,  Co.  H,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  H. 
John  D.  Conley,  Co.  H,  promoted  Captain  Co.  H. 

James  U.  Childs,  Co.  H (promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  not 
mustered),  mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 

Charles  A.  Garcelon,  Co.  I,  discharged  Feb.  5,  1864,  for 
promotion. 

Jabez  P.  Parker,  Co.  I,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  K. 
Wilbur  F.  Mower,  Co.  I,  discharged  May  15,  1865,  for 
disability  from  wounds. 

Augustus  C.  Peters,  Co.  K,  discharged  March  30,  1863 
for  disability  from  wounds. 

Charles  A.  Williams,  Co.  K,  promoted  Captain  Co.  A. 
Edward  F.  Davies,  Co.  K,  promoted  1st  Lieut.  Co.  K. 
Wilmot  H.  Chapman,  Co.  K,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant 
Co.  I,  not  mustered  ; mustered  out  June  5,  1865. 


80 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MONUMENT 

OF 

STEVENS’  FIFTH  MAINE  BATTERY. 


The  monument  of  Stevens’  Fifth  Maine  Battery  stands  on  a knoll,  a 
spur  of  Culp’s  Hill  east  of  the  village  of  Gettysburg.  Since  the  battle  that 
knoll  has  been  named  Stevens’  Knoll  or  Hill.  (See  Plate  95,  Atlas  to  accom- 
pany Rebellion  Records;  Penn,  at  Gettysburg,  Vol.  1,  p.  48.)  The  earth- 
works thrown  up  on  the  night  of  July  first  for  the  protection  of  the  men  and 
pieces  have  been  preserved.  In  those  earthworks  cannon  have  been  placed 
to  mark  their  position. 

The  monument  is  of  the  most  substantial  character.  The  first  and 
second  bases  are  of  Hallowed  granite.  The  die  is  of  red  granite,  the  color 
indicating  artillery.  The  apex  is  a large  cannon  ball  of  black  granite  two 
and  one-half  feet  in  diameter;  both  die  and  ball  are  highly  polished. 

Admeasurements:  Base:  five  feet  four  inches,  by  five  feet  four 
inches,  by  one  foot  eight  inches;  plinth:  four  feet,  by  four  feet,  by  two  feet 
four  inches,  of  Hallowed  granite;  die:  three  feet,  by  three  feet,  by  six  feet, 
of  Red  Beach  granite;  bad:  two  feet  eight  inches  diameter,  of  black  Addi- 
son granite.  Total  height,  twelve  feet  eight  inches. 

The  monument  on  two  faces  (first  view)  bears  the  following  inscriptions: 

Stevens’  Battery 
5th  Maine  1st  Corps 
Fought  here  July  1,  2,  3,  1863. 

Also  Engaged 

July  1st  North  of  the  Seminary. 

Ammunition  Expended 
979  Rounds. 

Bull  Run  2nd, 

Fredericksburg, 

Chancellorsville  , 

Gettysburg, 

Wilderness, 

SPOTTSYL  VANIA, 

Cold  Harbor, 

Petersburg, 

Opequan, 

Fisher’s  Hill, 

Cedar  Creek. 

See  page  81  for  inscriptions  on  the  other  two  faces,  second  view. 


nm 


STEVENS’  FIFTH  MAINE  BATTERY. 


81 


INSCRIPTIONS  ON  MONUMENT. 
(Second  view,  shown  at  page  95.) 

Losses. 

Bull  Run  2nd, 

1 Officer  and  3 Men  Killed 
8 Men  Wounded 
6 Men  Missing. 
Chancellorsville  , 

6 Men  Killed 

3 Officers  and  19  Men  Wounded. 
Gettysburg, 

3 Men  Killed 

2 Officers  and  11  Men  Wounded 
6 Men  Missing. 

Opequan, 

6 Men  Wounded. 

Cedar  Creek, 

2 Men  Killed 
16  Men  Wounded. 

"In  the  assault  upon 
East  Cemetery  Hill 

IN  THE  EVENING  OF 

July  2nd  the  Enemy 
(Hays’  and  Hoke’s  Brigades) 

EXPOSED  THEIR  LEFT  FLANK  TO 

Stevens’  Battery 

WHICH  POURED  A TERRIBLE  FIRE 
OF  DOUBLE  CANISTER  INTO 
THEIR  RANKS.” 


DOUBLEDAY. 


STEVENS’  FIFTH  MAINE  BATTEEY, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


THE  Fifth  Maine  Battery,  belonging  to  the  artillery  brigade, 
First  Army  Corps,  was  also  in  the  first  day’s  battle.  This 
battery  at  Chancellorsville  two  months  before  had  passed 
through  one  of  the  most  trying  ordeals  experienced  by  a battery 
in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  when  it  lost  six  men  killed,  three 
officers  and  nineteen  men  wounded  and  forty-three  horses  killed. 

One  officer,  Captain  George  F.  Leppien,  whose  wound 
proved  mortal,  died  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  24,  1863. 

The  battery  after  that  engagement  was  at  once  refitted  and 
placed  on  a war  footing  by  a detail  of  fifty-three  men  from  the 
83d  and  94th  New  York  regiments.  These  men,  more  than 
one-third  of  its  number,  had  never  served  in  mounted  artillery 
before.  They  however  were  drilled,  disciplined  and  made  effi- 
cient as  light  artillery-men  before  the  battery  arrived  at  Gettys- 
burg. This  detachment,  with  the  eighty  men  belonging  to  the 
battery  proper,  with  three  commissioned  officers,  present  for 
duty,  made  the  battery  at  Gettysburg  on  the  morning  of  July 
1st,  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  strong. 

The  battery,  six  light  12-pounders,  under  Captain  Greenlief 
T.  Stevens,  with  Lieutenants  Edward  N.  Whittier  and  Charles 
O.  Hunt,  made  its  way  up  through  Virginia  and  Maryland  with 
the  First  corps,  of  which  it  then  formed  a part,  and  at  daylight 
on  that  eventful  day  was  with  the  artillery  brigade  between 
Marsh  Creek  and  Gettysburg.  The  corps  that  morning  resumed 
its  march  in  the  following  order  : Wadsworth’s  First  division 
with  Hall’s  Second  Maine  battery ; Rowley’s  Third  division ; 
then  the  artillery  brigade  to  which  the  Fifth  battery  belonged  ; 
lastly  Robinson’s  Second  division  with  the  Sixteenth  Maine  reg- 
iment. General  Reynolds,  in  command  of  the  left  wing  of  the 
army,  accompanied  Wadsworth’s  division. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  FIRST  DAY. 


83 


Immediately  west  of  the  village  of  Gettysburg  there  are  two 
parallel  ridges  of  land  extending  in  a northerly  and  southerly 
direction,  the  first  about  one-third  of  a mile  from  the  outskirts 
of  the  village,  on  which  the  Theological  Seminary  is  located ; 
and  the  other  about  one-third  of  a mile  west  of  the  Seminary, 
and  sloping  down  gradually  towards  the  west  to  Willoughby 
Run.  On  the  most  westerly  rido;e  and  facing  west  General 
Wadsworth’s  division  was  first  formed,  with  Hall’s  Second 
Maine  battery  on  his  right. 

The  Fifth  Maine  battery  reached  the  vicinity  of  Gettysburg 
between  ten  and  eleven  o’clock  a.  m.  It  turned  off  the  Emmits- 
burg  road  to  the  west  in  the  vicinity  of  the  "Peach  Orchard,” 
and  marched  across  the  fields  in  the  direction  of  a furious  con- 
flict then  raging  between  the  enemy  and  Wadsworth’s  division. 
On  reaching  a piece  of  lowland  the  cairiages  were  cleared  and 
the  battery  made  ready  for  action.  At  this  point  orders  were 
received  by  Captain  Stevens  from  Colonel  C.  S.  Wainwright, 
chief  of  artillery,  First  army  corps,  to  take  position  in  the  south- 
erly part  of  a grove  some  two  hundred  yards  south  of  the 
Seminary  and  relieve  Lt.  Stewart’s  battery  B,  Fourth  H.  S. 
artillery. 

At  this  hour  the  first  Confederate  advance  down  by  Wil- 
loughby Run  had  been  checked  by  Wadsworth’s  division,  and 
there  was  a temporary  lull  in  the  battle.  The  battery  unen- 
gaged remained  in  this  position  nearly  two  hours.  Rowley’s 
division,  which  had  preceded  the  battery  on  the  march,  had  been 
divided  by  General  Doubleday,  and  Stone’s  brigade  assigned  to 
the  open  space  between  the  woods  where  General  Reynolds  was 
killed  and  the  Chambersburg  pike,  and  Biddle’s  brigade  to  the 
left  of  our  line  near  the  Hagerstown  road. 

By  this  time  the  battle  was  again  raging  to  the  front  and 
right,  and  with  the  greater  number  of  contestants  had  increased 
in  the  volume  of  its  tumult  and  fury.  General  Doubleday, 
who  succeeded  General  Reynolds  in  the  command  of  the  corps, 
was  establishing  with  prudent  forethought  a fortified  position 
on  the  ridge  around  the  Seminary  when  orders  were  received  by 
Captain  Stevens  from  General  Doubleday  to  change  position 
from  the  south  to  the  north  of  the  Seminary,  where  he  took  his 


84 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


second  position  on  the  right  of  Cooper’s  battery  B,  First  Penn.  ; 
Cooper  was  next  to  the  Seminary  building  and  Stevens  was 
next  to  Cooper. 

It  was  about  two  p.  m.  when  this  movement  was  made.  At 
this  hour  the  Sixteenth  Maine  had  already  moved  from  the 
entrenchments  at  the  Seminary  and  was  facing  or  about  to  face 
the  onset  of  Rodes’  right.  The  Eleventh  corps  was  already 
engaged  with  Rodes’  left  and  Early’s  division  of  Ewell’s  corps. 
The  battle  was  now  raging  from  Rock  Creek  and  the  Harrisburg 
road  on  the  right  around  by  Willoughby  Run  to  the  Hagerstown 
road  on  the  left.  The  hours  from  two  until  four  o’clock  were 
to  be  crowded  with  thrilling  events  in  which  the  batteries  at  the 
Seminary  were  to  play  a prominent  part.  In  all  twelve  guns 
were  massed  at  this  point  so  closely  that  they  were  hardly  live 
yards  apart  ; four  guns  of  Cooper’s  battery  B,  First  Penn.,  six 
guns  of  Stevens’  Fifth  Maine  battery  and  two  guns  of  Reynolds’ 
battery  L,  1st  N.  Y.,  under  command  of  Lt.  Wilber.  The 
other  four  guns  of  Reynolds’  battery,  under  Lt.  Breck,  at  this 
hour  were  on  the  same  ridge  south  of  the  Seminary. 

Stewart’s  battery  B,  4th  U.  S.  artillery,  was  also  on  the 
same  line  but  further  to  the  north  or  right,  one-half  — three 
guns  — being  between  the  Chambersburg  pike  and  the  railroad 
cut,  and  the  other  half  north  of  the  railroad  cut  in  the  edge  of 
the  woods. 

Robinson’s  division  was  on  the  right  of  Stewart’s  battery 
and  formed  the  right  of  the  line  of  the  First  corps. 

The  Fifth*  Maine  opened  lire  as  soon  as  it  was  in  position, 
throwing  spherical  case  and  shell  at.  first  over  our  infantry  in 
the  lower  ground  in  front. 

The  whole  line  of  battle  from  right  to  left  was  then  one 
continuous  blaze  of  fire.  The  space  between  the  two  ridges 
was  completely  filled  with  the  thin  blue  smoke  of  the  infantry, 
making  it  difficult  to  distinguish  friend  from  foe,  while  the 
artillery  from  their  higher  position  belched  forth  a tremendous 
fire  of  shot  and  shell,  throwing  their  deadly  missiles  in  rapid 
succession  into  the.  ranks  of  the  enemy  advancing  on  our  direct 
front,  covering  themselves  for  the  moment  in  dense  clouds  of 
white  smoke.  Our  infantry,  by  the  overwhelming  numbers  of 


stevens’  battery  first  day. 


85 


the  enemy,  five  to  one,  were  forced  back  upon  a line  with  the 
artillery,  some  of  them  crouching  under  the  very  muzzles  of 
the  guns  of  the  Fifth  battery  to  avoid  its  fire.  When  our  front 
was  clear  and  within  canister  range,  using  double  charges,  the 
guns  of  the  Fifth  battery  were  turned  to  the  right  on  the  columns 
of  the  enemy,  and  when  their  first  line  was  within  about  one 
hundred  yards  of  the  Seminary  it  was  brought  to  a halt  by  Stew- 
art’s, Stevens’,  Reynolds’  and  Cooper’s  batteries,  — Stevens’ 
expending  about  fifty-seven  rounds  of  canister  (a) . 

But  the  enemy’s  second  line,  supported  by  a column  deployed 
from  the  Cashtown  or  Chambersburg  pike,  pushed  on,  and  in 
the  face  of  the  most  destructive  fire  that  could  be  put  forth  from 
all  the  troops  in  position  succeeded  in  dislodging  our  infantry, 
driving  in  the  cavalry  and  completely  outflanking  and  enfilading 
our  line  both  on  the  right  and  on  the  left.  At  this  hour,  nearly 
four  o’clock,  the  Eleventh  corps  which  had  been  facing  north 
and  forming  nearly  a right  angle  with  the  First  corps  line,  and 
in  full  view  of  our  position  at  the  Seminary,  was  fast  falling 
back  toward  the  town,  closely  pressed  by  the  enemy. 

Colonel  Wainwright  in  his  official  report,  referring  to  this 
hour,  said  : " An  order  was  now  received  by  Captain  Stevens 

from  General  Wadsworth  to  withdraw  his  battery.  Not  know- 
ing that  he  had  received  such  an  order,  and  still  under  the  false 
impression  as  to  the  importance  attached  to  holding  Seminary 
Hill,  I directed  all  the  batteries  to  remain  in  position.  A few 
minutes,  however,  showed  me  our  infantry  rapidly  retreating 
to  the  town.  All  the  batteries  were  at  once  limbered  to  the 
rear  and  moved  at  a walk  down  the  Cashtown  pike  until  the 
infantry  had  left  it  ” (b) . * * * 

By  this  time  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  had  lapped  our  retreat- 
ing columns  and  opened  a severe  fire  within  fifty  yards  of  the 
road  in  which  the  artillery  was  obliged  to  pass.  The  pike 
being  clear,  the  batteries  now  broke  into  a trot,  but  it  was  too 
late  to  save  everything.  Battery  L,  1st  N.  Y.,  lost  one  gun 

(a)  The  battery  expended  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  103  rounds  of  canister.  See 
Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  page  362.  Lt.  Whittier  in  his  report  of  the  engagement  on 
the  evening  of  July  2d  says:  “ When  within  six  hundred  yards  I opened  with  canis- 
ter and  fired,  before  they  were  repulsed,  upwards  of  46  rounds.”  This  leaves  57  rounds 
expended  at  the  Seminary  on  July  1,  as  canister  was  used  at  no  other  times. 

(b)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  357. 


86 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  five  horses ; three  caissons  of  battery  B,  4th  U.  S. 
artillery,  broke  down  before  they  reached  the  town  and  had  to 
be  abandoned.  Another  caisson  of  the  same  battery  was  struck 
by  a shell  and  destroyed.  While  at  a trot-march  a gun  wheel 
of  one  of  the  guns  of  the  Fifth  battery  came  off,  the  axle  drop- 
ping in  the  road ; the  team  was  halted,  the  gun  raised  by  the 
cannoneers  and  wheel  replaced,  Captain  Stevens  springing 
from  his  horse  and  seizing  the  gunner’s  pinchers,  inserted  the 
handle  for  a linch-pin,  and  the  gun  was  saved  from  capture. 

At  this  point,  near  where  a brook  crosses  the  Chambersburg 
pike,  not  far  from  the  westerly  outskirts  of  the  village,  private 
William  Widner,  a driver,  detached  from  the  94th  N.  Y.  and 
serving  with  the  battery,  was  killed,  falling  from  his  horse 
beside  the  road.  Charles  M.  Bryant  was  killed  near  the  Sem- 
inary as  the  battery  was  limbering  to  the  rear,  and  Lieut. 
Charles  O.  Hunt  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh  while  at 
the  same  point. 

Privates  Aaron  Simpson,  William  Leonard,  Sylvester  L. 
Brown,  John  A.  Paine,  Warren  B.  Bailey  and  Edwin  T. 
Witham  were  also  wounded ; and  privates  J.  P.  St.  Clair, 
Charles  Smith,  Jno.  Dwyer,  Jno.  Bessey  and  A.  C.  Marvin 
were  taken  prisoners,  the  last  three  being  detached  men  from 
the  94th  N.  Y.  regiment. 

Such  were  the  losses  in  this  battery  up  to  this  hour,  four 
o’clock  in  the  afternoon. 


A MARKER 

stands  in  the  road  west  of  the  Seminary  buildings  to  indicate  the  position 
of  the  Battery  at  that  point  in  the  first  day’s  battle.  (See  map  of  the  First 
Day.)  The  marker,  of  Maine  granite,  is  a large  rectangular  block,  cut 
away  on  the  upper  half  of  one  side  in  a slope,  presenting  a polished  raised 
table  inscribed  with  the  following  legend: 

Stevens’ 

Battery, 

5th 

Maine. 

Jury  1,  1863. 


STEVEN'S  BATTERY  FIRST  DAY. 


87 


The  First  corps  had  lost  heavily.  General  Reynolds  had 
been  killed.  He  was  on  horseback  in  the  easterly  edge  of  an 
open  wood,  surrounded  by  his  staff.  The  enemy  were  in  the 
wood.  Without  doubt  he  felt  anxious  in  relation  to  the  result 
and  frequently  turned  his  head  to  see  if  Robinson’s  and  Row- 
ley’s divisions,  which  had  not  then  arrived,  would  be  up  in 
time  to  assist  Wadsworth  who  was  hotly  engaged,  and  while 
he  was  looking  back  in  that  way  a rebel  sharp-shooter  shot  him 
through  the  back  of  the  head,  the  bullet  coming  out  near  the 
eye.  He  fell  dead  in  an  instant  without  uttering  a word.  He 
had  served  in  the  3d  U.  S.  artillery  with  Generals  Sherman, 
Thomas  and  Doubleday,  and  had  fought  in  the  same  battles 
with  the  latter  in  the  Mexican  war. 

Our  troops  never  fought  with  greater  spirit,  believing  that 
Gettysburg  was  to  be  held  at  all  hazards.  "We  have  come  to 
stay”  was  the  battle  cry  that  passed  along  the  line.  As  it 
proved,  a great  portion  of  them  did  come  to  stay,  laying  down 
their  lives  to  save  this  country  for  the  present  and  future  gen- 
erations. When  out  of  ammunition  many  a soldier  replenished 
his  box  from  that  of  his  killed  or  wounded  comrade. 

When  the  left  of  the  Eleventh  corps  nearest  the  First  corps 
fell  back,  a force  of  nearly  20,000  Confederates  was  thrown 
upon  the  First  corps,  which  in  the  beginning  of  the  contest 
only  numbered  8,200  and  which  was  reduced  at  the  close  of 
the  engagement  to  2,450  (a). 

General  W adsworth  in  his  official  report  said : " The 

severity  of  the  contest  during  the  day  will  be  indicated  by  the 
painful  fact  that  at  least  half  of  the  officers  and  men  who  went 
into  the  engagement  were  killed  or  wounded”  (b). 

General  Robinson,  commanding  the  Second  division,  went 
into  the  battle  with  less  than  2,500  officers  and  men  and  sus- 
tained a loss  of  1,667,  of  which  124  were  commissioned 
officers  (c) . 

The  Confederate  general  A.  M.  Scales,  who  advanced 
directly  against  our  position  at  the  Seminary,  in  his  official 
report  said : 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  251. 

(b)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  266. 

(c)  Ibid,  page  291. 


88 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


“We  passed  over  them  (the  first  Confederate  line  of  battle)  up  the 
ascent  across  the  ridge  and  commenced  the  descent  just  opposite  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  Here  the  brigade  encountered  a most  terrific  fire  of 
grape  and  shell  on  our  flank,  and  grape  and  musketry  in  our  front.  Every 
discharge  made  sad  havoc  in  our  line,  but  still  we  pressed  on  at  a double 
quick  and  we  reached  the  bottom,  a distance  of  seventy-five  yards  from  the 
ridge  we  had  crossed  and  about  the  same  distance  from  the  college  in  our 
front.  Here  I received  a painful  wound  from  a piece  of  shell  and  was  dis- 
abled. Our  line  had  been  broken  up  and  only  a squad  here  and  there 
marked  the  place  where  regiments  had  stood.  Every  field  officer  in  the 
brigade  save  one  had  been  disabled;  and  the  following  list  of  casualties 
will  attest  sufficiently  the  terrible  ordeal  through  which  the  brigade  passed. 
Killed  48,  wounded  381,  missing  116.  Total  545  ” (a). 

On  the  retreat  the  guns  of  the  Fifth  were  intermingled  with 
those  of  Captain  Cooper’s  battery  B,  1st  Penn.,  and,  passing 
through  the  town  whose  streets  were  crowded  with  the  columns 
of  the  First  corps  and  encumbered  by  stragglers  from  the 
Eleventh  corps  upon  whose  heels  the  Confederates  were  closely 
following,  moved  along  Baltimore  street  and  up  the  hill  on  the 
Baltimore  pike  to  the  Cemetery  gate.  This  was  the  rallying 
point  of  broken  and  disordered  regiments  and  batteries.  Of 
the  sixteen  thousand  five  hundred  men  of  the  First  and 
Eleventh  corps  who  went  into  the  battle,  not  more  than  five 
thousand  five  hundred  were  rallied  on  this  hill  in  fighting1  condi- 
tion ; while  stretching  through  the  village  of  Gettysburg  and 
to  the  right  and  left  of  the  same  were  the  heavier  columns  of 
the  Confederate  army.  Nearly  four  thousand  of  their  com- 
rades were  lying  upon  the  field  in  full  view  beyond  the  town. 
Five  thousand  more  had  been  captured  and  two  thousand  dis- 
persed (b).  The  annals  of  war  present  no  instance  of  more 
desperate,  stubborn,  gallant  and  persistent  fighting  than  that 
offered  July  1,  1863,  by  the  First  corps. 

With  several  hours  of  sunlight  the  situation  of  the  remain- 
ing Union  forces  was  perilous  indeed.  "But  sometimes,  at  a 
critical  moment,”  says  the  Comte  de  Paris,  "a  single  individual 
may  bring  a moral  force  on  the  battlefield  worth  a hundred 
battalions.”  Such  a person  was  General  Hancock  at  this 
moment.  He  was  sent  by  General  Meade  to  take  charge  of 
the  field.  He  arrived  on  Cemetery  Hill  about  four  o’clock, 
and  was  by  the  gate  of  the  Cemetery  as  the  Fifth  Maine 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  2,  page  670. 

Cb)  Estimate  made  by  the  Comte  de  Paris,  Hist.  Civil  War,  Vol.  Ill,  page  570. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  FIRST  DAY. 


89 


battery  came  up.  He  called  for  the  captain  of  "that  brass  bat- 
tery.” Captain  Stevens  heard  what  he  said  and  put  himself  in 
Hancock’s  presence;  he  ordered  Stevens  to  "take  (his)  battery 
on  to  that  hill,”  pointing  to  Culp’s  Hill,  and  " stop  the  enemy 
from  coming  up  that  ravine.”  "By  whose  order?”  was  the 
inquiry.  "General  Hancock’s,”  was  the  reply. 

"When  the  order  was  given,  "Fifth  battery,  forward  ! ” each 
gun  and  caisson  separated  from  Cooper’s  battery  and  the 
infantry  with  which  it  had  been  retiring,  and  dropped  into  its 
proper  place  and  marched  easterly  down  the  Baltimore  pike 
until  it  reached  a lane  leading  to  a cottage  in  the  direction  of 
Culp’s  Hill.  Passing  through  that  lane  and  up  the  elevation,  it 
reached  the  summit  of  a knoll  at  the  westerly  extremity  of 
Culp’s  Hill.  This  position  commanded  completely  the  easterly 
slope  of  Cemetery  Hill  and  the  ravine  at  the  north.  As  the 
battery  reached  this  position  the  enemy  was  sweeping  through 
the  village  and  up  across  the  lowlands  in  our  front.  The  bat- 
tery was  unsupported.  No  Union  infantry  was  on  the  right, 
and  none  on  the  left,  nearer  than  Cemetery  Hill  where  the 
other  troops  were  turned  off  to  the  right  and  left  by  General 
Hancock  and  put  into  line  of  battle.  The  battery  at  once 
went  into  position  and  opened  so  vigorous  a fire  that  the 
advance  of  the  Confederates  in  that  direction  was  stopped  and 
the  desire  of  General  Hancock  was  fully  achieved.  The  enemy 
took  shelter  by  lying  down  behind  any  object  that  furnished 
protection. 

General  Hunt,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, attracted  no  doubt  by  the  rapidity  and  vigor  of  the  bat- 
tery’s fire  at  this  hour,  paid  it  a visit.  On  learning  that  the 
battery  had  no  supports,  and  that  a body  of  the  enemy  had 
gone  so  far  to  the  right  that,  their  position  and  movements  were 
covered  by  the  woods  on  the  northerly  slope  of  Culp’s  Hill  and 
that  there  was  nothing  to  prevent  their  skirmishers  from 
approaching  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  battery  without 
being  observed,  he  said  to  Captain  Stevens  : " I don’t  like  the 

look  of  this ; send  some  of  your  men  and  tear  gaps  in  the 
fences  between  here  and  the  Baltimore  pike,  and  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  pike,  so  that  you  can  reach  the  high  land  beyond 


90 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


in  case  you’re  driven  out.”  The  order  was  promptly  obeyed. 
The  non-military  reader  should  observe  that  while  a battery  can 
keep  back  or  destroy  masses  of  the  enemy,  it  cannot  success- 
fully contend  with  a line  of  skirmishers.  To  resist  them  would 
be  like  shooting  mosquitoes  with  musket  balls.  But  the  battery 
was  not  forgotten  by  Hancock.  In  this  connection  General 
Doubleday  in  his  report  of  the  engagement  says : " Major- 

General  Hancock  now  rode  up  and  informed  me  he  had  been 
placed  in  command  of  both  corps.  He  at  once  directed  me  to 
send  a force  to  support  a battery  which  had  been  established  on 
a lower  range  of  hills  some  one  hundred  yards  to  the  east  of 
our  position,  protecting  our  flank  in  that  direction.  I com- 
plied with  the  order  and  sent  the  remainder  of  Wadsworth’s 
division  there.  Immediately  afterward  orders  came  from  Gen- 
eral Howard,  who  ranked  Hancock,  to  send  the  troops  in 
another  direction.  This  occasioned  at  the  time  some  little 
delay  and  confusion  ” (a) . 

General  Wadsworth,  however,  with  the  remainder  of  his 
division  did  not  go  in  another  direction,  but  went  directly  to 
the  battery,  passing  between  the  line  of  limbers  and  caissons 
of  the  battery  and  taking  position  on  the  right  and  a little  in 
advance  of  the  same  where  it  remained  during  the  remainder 
of  the  battle,  planting  his  headquarter-colors  near  its  right  gun. 
At  intervals  the  battery  maintained  its  fire  until  dark  to  keep 
down  the  enemy  that  were  in  our  front  and  prevent  the  move- 
ment of  their  troops  as  far  as  possible  within  its  range. 

In  this  connection  'Colonel  A.  C.  Godwin,  commanding 
Hoke’s  Confederate  brigade  after  Colonel  Avery  was  mortally 
wounded,  said : 

“The  brigade  continued  to  advance  toward  the  town,  but  while  yet  in 
the  outskirts  was  wheeled  to  the  left  and  re-formed  on  the  railroad.  The 
enemy  had  now  succeeded  in  planting  a battery  upon  a high  sloping  spur 
on  the  mountain  side  immediately  in  our  front.  Under  cover  of  the  railroad 
cut  we  were  moved  by  the  flank  about  400  yards  to  the  left  and  then  moved 
forward.  The  shells  from  the  enemy  proving  very  effective,  we  were  soon 
after  halted  in  a depression  on  the  hillside  and  the  men  ordered  to  lie  down. 
Skirmishers  were  thrown  forward  and  this  position  held  through  the  night 
and  until  8 p.  m.  on  the  next  day,  July  2,  when  the  brigade  moved  forward 
to  the  attack  ” (b). 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  252. 

(b)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  2,  page  484 ; also  see  map  of  the  first  day. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  SECOND  DAY. 


91 


Between  live  and  six  o’clock  p.  m.  the  Union  troops  that 
were  not  in  the  first  day’s  battle  began  to  arrive.  Slocum’s 
Twelfth  corps,  between  eight  and  nine  thousand  strong,  was 
the  first  to  appear.  While  yet  in  the  distance  the  lone  star 
upon  their  banners  told  us  who  they  were,  causing  the  Fifth 
battery  boys  to  send  up  cheer  after  cheer.  The  First  division 
of  that  corps  was  put  in  position  on  our  right  down  by  Rock 
Creek,  while  two  brigades  of  the  Second  division  wended  their 
way  up  across  the  country  in  our  rear  and  took  position  on  the 
left  of  our  line  between  Cemetery  Hill  and  Little  Round  Top  (a) . 

But  this  is  not  a chronicle  of  the  Twelfth  corps.  On  that 
ground  it  was  evident  that  the  contest  would  be  renewed  the 
next  day,  and  preparations  were  accordingly  made  for  the 
same.  During  the  night  earthworks  were  constructed  " under 
the  direction  of  Captain  Stevens,  which  on  the  two  days  follow- 
ing proved  of  the  greatest  service  in  covering  and  protecting 
the  men  and  pieces  ” (b) . It  will  be  observed  elsewhere  that 
the  losses  were  largely  sustained  on  the  first  day.  When  all 
was  quiet  except  occasional  picket  firing,  the  teams  having  been 
cared  for,  the  men,  regaled  with  their  usual  allowance  of 
hardtack  and  coffee,  tired  and  exhausted,  repulsed  but  not 
routed,  beaten  but  not  dismayed,  wrapped  their  blankets  about 
them  and  camped  down  beside  their  guns  and  horses  for  a little 
rest,  with  mother  earth  for  a pillow,  and  the  starry  heavens 
above  them  for  a shelter.  Thus  passed  one  of  our  days  and 
nights  on  this  battlefield  destined  to  become  the  Waterloo  of 
the  western  world. 

The  forenoon  of  the  second  day  passed  similarly  to  the  clos- 
ing hours  of  the  first  day,  — troops  arriving,  picket  firing,  sharp- 
shooting and  artillery  duelling  at  long  range.  From  an  early 
hour  in  the  morning  the  enemy’s  sharp-shooters,  posted  behind 
walls  and  fences  in  the  lowlands  in  front  of  the  battery,  were 
very  annoying  and  were  only  partially  dislodged  by  our  skir- 
mishers sent  out  to  oppose  them. 

During-  the  afternoon  while  observing  movements  of  the 
enemy  Captain  Stevens  was  severely  wounded,  being  shot 
through  both  legs  below  the  knee,  and  was  removed  from  the 

(a)  See  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  758. 

(b)  See  Official  Report  on  tile,  Adjutant-General’s  office,  Maine. 


92 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


field.  Sergeants  Lorrin  E.  Bundy  and  James  W.  White,  per- 
forming the  duty  of  commissioned  officers,  evinced  quite  as 
plainly  as  on  other  occasions  courage  and  discretion  of  a high 
degree.  Lieutenant  A.  B.  Twitchell  being  absent,  wounded, 
the  command  of  the  battery  then  devolved  upon  Lieutenant 
Whittier,  who  has  recently  furnished  the  following  account  of 
the  battery  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  while  under  his  command. 
He  writes  in  paid  as  follows  : 

" To  take  up  my  topic,  the  part  borne  by  the  Fifth  Maine 
battery  in  the  battle  after  Captain  Stevens  was  wounded. 
About  one  o’clock  the  enemy  ran  guns  into  position  just  oppo- 
site the  end  of  East  Cemetery  Hill,  to  enfilade  our  lines  which 
from  that  point  ran  in  a southerly  direction  towards  the  Bound 
Tops.  We  could  just  reach  the  enemy,  and  joining  fire  with 
the  rifled  guns  on  East  Cemetery  ridge  their  batteries  were  soon 
silenced.  Great  annoyance  was  experienced  later  from  sharp- 
shooters in  our  front  concealed  in  bushes,  behind  fences  and 
even  in  the  trees  along  the  course  of  Bock  Creek.  A company 
of  riflemen  was  deployed  and  made  its  way  out  some  distance, 
and  after  some  difficulty  dislodged  the  enemy  and  drove  their 
men  back  towards  their  main  skirmish  line.  And  so  the  after- 
noon wore  on,  our  anxiety  increasing  as  we  saw  the  fight  raging 
with  what  seemed  doubtful  success  on  our  part,  way  off  on  our 
left,  in  front  of  the  Bound  Tops  and  out  on  the  Emmitsburg 
road,  while  troops  were  hurrying  from  the  right  of  our  line 
across  to  the  succor  of  the  Third  and  Fifth  corps,  until  it  seemed 
as  if  the  whole  Twelfth  corps  was  in  motion,  and  it  was,  except- 
ing Greene’s  brigade,  as  we  afterwards  learned ; and  the  roar 
and  crash  of  artillery,  the  rattle  of  musketry,  the  vast  clouds 
of  smoke  rolling  down  from  Little  Bound  Top  and  filling  the 
valley,  all  joined  to  make  us  feel  that  the  day  was  going  against 
us.  In  the  urgent  desire  of  reinforcing  the  Third  corps 
(Sickles’),  only  Greene’s  brigade  was  left  to  hold  the  works 
protecting  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  against  any  attempt  of 
the  enemy  to  gain  a foothold  on  the  Baltimore  pike  (a) . 

"About  4 p.  m.  those  who  were  on  the  left  of  our  position, 
where  the  view  of  Benner’s  Hill  was  unobstructed  by  the  trees 

(a)  The  movement  of  Twelfth  corps  to  reinforce  other  portions  of  the  line 
occurred  between  6 and  7 o’clock  p.  m. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  SECOND  DAY. 


93 


on  the  northerly  slope  of  Culp’s,  had  presented  to  their  gaze  the 
almost  unexampled  spectacle  of  a Confederate  battery  in  full 
view,  thrown  into  'action  front’  as  deliberately  as  on  parade. 
This  was  the  initial  movement  of  Andrews’  battalion  of  artil- 
lery, commanded  by  Major  Latimer,  taking  position,  with  four- 
teen guns  closely  crowded  together  on  the  crest  of  this  small 
hill.  Two  guns,  20-pounder  Parrotts,  went  in-battery  on  an 
elevation  to  the  right  and  rear  of  the  position  chosen.  From 
the  high  ground  further  to  the  enemy’s  right,  rifled  pieces 
opened  simultaneously  with  Andrews’  battalion  a converging 
fire  on  our  batteries  on  East  Cemetery  Hill,  and  enfilading  our 
infantry  lines  and  the  artillery,  which,  further  south  in  the 
cemetery,  were  facing  Seminary  ridge  and  the  Emmitsburg 
road.  I doubt  if  more  than  six  or  eight  projectiles  came  to 
the  ground  on  the  knoll  where  we  had  been  ordered  by  General 
Hancock. 

"At  once,  as  if  directed  by  the  command  of  one  man,  our 
battery  united  with  battery  L,  1st  N.  Y.,  Lieut.  Breck,  with 
Cooper  and  Wiedrich  on  the  hill,  and  with  Taft’s  20-pounders 
in  the  cemetery,  and  poured  such  destructive  fire  into  the  bat- 
teries on  Benner’s  Hill  that  in  less  than  half  an  hour  four  of 
their  limbers  or  caissons  exploded  and  their  batteries  were 
silenced.  Nowhere  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg  was  such  havoc 
•wrought  by  artillery  on  artillery,  and  the  wreck  of  Andrews’ 
battalion,  in  horses  and  shattered  gun-  and  ammunition-carriages 
left  on  the  field  for  months,  was  a noteworthy  feature  and  was 
visited  by  throngs  of  eager  sight-seers.  Major  Latimer  died 
of  wounds  received  here.  One  captain  and  one  first  lieutenant 
were  severely  wounded ; two  non-commissioned  officers  and 
eight  men  were  killed ; two  non-commissioned  officers  and 
thirty-five  men  were  wounded ; thirty  horses  were  killed. 

"It  was  during  this  artillery  duel  that  John  F.  Chase 
received  the  terrible  Avounds  which  so  nearly  cost  him  his  life. 
Our  guns  grew  so  hot,  in  spite  of  using  wet  sponges,  that  it 
was  quite  an  hour  afterwards  before  one  could  bear  his  hand  on 
the  knob  of  the  cascabel.  Soon  after  General  Howard,  com- 
manding on  East  Cemetery  Hill,  sent  an  aide  with  the  General’s 
compliments  and  congratulations  for  the  efficient  work  done  by 


94 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  battery  on  that  occasion,  and  about  this  time  Lieutenant 
Matthewson  came  over  from  Colonel  Wain  wright,  and  finding 
that  our  ammunition  was  running  low,  very  kindly  offered  to 
see  that  our  chests  were  refilled.  In  considerable  haste,  all 
that  was  left  in  the  caissons  was  transferred  to  the  limber-chests 
of  the  guns,  and  we  soon  saw  our  teams  disappearing  down  the 
pike  in  the  direction  of  the  ammunition  trains  in  the  fields 
towards  General  Slocum’s  headquarters,  a mile  and  a half  or  so 
in  our  rear,  and  we  were  left  there  with  a scanty  supply  of 
shot  and  shell,  a larger  equipment  of  case  shot  and  all  the 
canister  left  over  from  the  first  day’s  fight. 

" Our  guns  cooled  all  the  more  rapidly  from  the  use  of  wet 
sponges  which  at  the  same  time  left  the  guns  clean ; the  sun 
dropped  behind  the  western  mountains,  and  all  grew  quiet  save 
for  the  scattered  fire  of  skirmishers,  an  occasional  gun  flashing 
from  Little  Round  Top  and  the  distant  sound  of  the  exploding 
shells ; the  dusk  of  evening  was  creeping  down  the  valley  of 
Rock  Creek  and  shutting  out  the  town  from  view,  and  there 
was  abundant  promise  of  a peaceful  night  in  our  immediate 
front,  when  suddenly  one  of  our  sergeants  on  the  lookout 
shouted,  'Look  ! look  at  those  men,’  and  he  pointed  to  our  left 
front  in  the  edge  of  the  town  and  between  our  position  and 
the  farm  buildings  of  William  Culp,  where,  in  line  of  battle 
extending  nearly  to  Rock  Creek  at  the  base  of  Benner’s  Hill, 
the  enemy  could  be  seen  climbing  the  walls  and  fences  and 
forming  for  the  assault.  The  assaulting  column  was  Hays’ 
brigade  ('Louisiana  Tigers’)  and  Hoke’s  brigade  of  North  Car- 
olinians, with  Gordon’s  brigade  in  the  reserve.  Time  7 :45  p.  m. 

"It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  Johnson’s  division  was 
already  in  possession  of  our  works  on  the  right  of  our  line, 
directly  in  our  rear  and  within  a few  hundred  yards  of  the 
Baltimore  pike,  and  that  Rodes’  division,  struggling  to  free 
itself  from  the  hindrances  of  the  streets  and  houses  of  Gettys- 
burg, was  taking  position  on  the  west  of  the  town,  in  the  fields 
fronting  our  infantry  and  artillery  on  Cemetery  Hill. 

"All  comrades  of  the  old  Fifth  know  how  quickly  and  how 
well  our  guns  opened  the  artillery  fire  that  evening,  for  the 
order,  'Case,  2 1-2  degrees,  3 seconds  time,’  had  hardly  been 


GHAHCELLUHSYILLE,  .. 
■8  ICES  KILLED;- 
L1FFICEHS  AND  19  MEN  'S'QUNDEO 

Gettysburg; 


l OFFICERS  AND  II  MEN  WOUNDED, 
-B  MEN  MISSING.  . 


IN  THE  ASSAULT  UPON 

E ast  cemetery  hill 

IN  HIE  EVENING  OF 
JULY  2S5  THE  ENEMY. 

(HAYS' AND  HOPE'S  SSmOESj 

EXPOSED IHEIRTEFT  FIANKTO 

STEVENS' BATTERY 
WHICH  POURED  ATERRlBLE  FIRE 
or-  DOUBLE  CANISTER  INTO 

■ their  ranks' 

DOllBlEDAY. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  SECOND  DAY. 


95 


heard  before  up  went  the  lids  of  the  limber-chests,  the  fuses 
were  cut  in  another  moment,  and  the  guns  were  loaded  as  if 
on  drill.  Slap  went  the  heads  of  the  rammers  against  the  faces 
of  the  pieces,  a most  welcome  sound,  for  at  the  same  moment 
came  the  order  'Fire  by  battery,’  and  at  once  there  was  the 
flash  and  roar  of  our  six  guns,  the  rush  of  the  projectiles,  and 
along  the  front  of  the  enemy’s  charging  line  every  case  shot — 
' long  range  canister’ — burst  as  if  on  measured  ground,  at  the 
right  time  and  in  the  right  place  above  and  in  front  of  their 
advance.  This  was  the  first  intimation  given  by  artillery  of 
the  rebel  attack  on  East  Cemetery  Hill.  General  Underwood, 
at  that  time  commanding  the  33d  Mass,  regiment,  wrote  me 
afterwards : 

“ ‘I  had  just  placed  my  regiment  in  line  behind  the  stone  wall  at  the 
head  of  the  valley  separating  Culp’s  from  Cemetery  Hill,  and  had  no  knowl- 
edge, the  evening  was  so  far  advanced,  of  any  artillery  near  me,  when  right 
over  my  head,  it  seemed  to  me,  there  was  a flash  of  light,  a roar  and  a crash 
as  if  a volcano  had  been  let  loose.  ’ 

"It  was  the  Fifth  Maine  battery  turned  loose  on  the  enemy. 
In  another  moment  the  battery  was  'firing  at  will,’  while  Breck, 
Ricketts  and  Wiedrich,  on  East  Cemetery  Hill,  made  the 
ground  tremble  with  their  volleys  plowing  through  the  lines  of 
the  enemy  now  in  full  movement  and  charging  on  their  posi- 
tion. Two  important  causes  contributed  to  delay  the  rebel 
advance  : first,  the  front  fire  of  fifteen  guns  on  East  Cemetery 
Hill  and  the  flank  fire  of  the  Fifth  Maine  on  the  northern  slope 
of  Culp’s  Hill ; second,  the  delay  arising  from  firing  and  load- 
ing, for  their  lines  opened  fire  in  reply  even  to  the  feeble 
resistance  offered  by  our  skirmishers. 

"When  the  enemy  started  on  this  movement  their  lines 
nearly  faced  our  position,  but  as  they  advanced  they  obeyed 
the  order  given  at  the  outset,  and,  pivoting  on  their  right 
which  rested  on  and  moved  along  the  outskirts  of  the  town, 
they  so  changed  direction  by  an  almost  right  half-wheel  of  their 
whole  force,  that  at  8 : 30  we  had  an  oblique  fire  on  them ; and 
when  they  were  under  the  steep  acclivity  of  Cemetery  Hill, 
where  the  guns  on  the  crest  couldn’t  touch  them,  the  Fifth 
Maine  had  an  enfilading-  fire  on  their  whole  left  and  centre.  In 
this  position  no  other  artillery  could  reach  them,  and  they  were 


96 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


delivered  over  to  the  hot,  unsparing  havoc  of  our  canister, 
and  it  wrought  their  ruin. 

" One  battery  alone  was  placed  so  as  to  fire  canister  down 
the  valley  and  to  deliver  a direct  fire  on  the  enemy’s  front  from 
East  Cemetery  Hill.  It  was  Breck  with  battery  L,  1st  N.  Y., 
on  the  low  ground  on  the  side  of  the  slope  nearest  our  position  ; 
but  in  his  published  report  he  says : ' I did  not  use  canister 

for  fear  of  the  infantry  in  my  front,’  etc.  (a). 

"A  few  minutes  before  this  it  was  found  that  the  right  guns 
of  the  battery  were  almost  useless  because  of  the  position  of 
the  enemy’s  line  rapidly  changing  and  soon  to  be  quite  in  rear 
of  our  left  flank ; the  left  half  of  the  battery  was  already  firing 
at  nearly  right  angles  to  the  direction  taken  at  the  opening, 
the  gunners  having  followed  the  enemy’s  advancing  line  by 
firing  more  and  more  left  oblique.  As  soon  as  it  was  reported 
that  the  left  half-battery  only  could  be  worked,  the  right  half- 
battery was  ' limbered  up  ’ and  the  guns  placed  in  position  on 
the  slope  to  the  left  and  rear  of  our  earthworks  and  facing  the 
town,  and  the  whole  battery  was  once  more  effective  and  this 
time  with  canister. 

" It  was  now  so  dark  that  the  enemy’s  line  could  be  made  out 
only  by  the  fire  from  their  rifles.  The  extreme  left,  bent  back, 
nearly  faced  us,  but  their  left  and  centre  were  still  facing  the 
slopes  of  Cemetery  Hill,  and  a desperate  effort  was  made  by 
their  officers  under  this  ' terrible  enfilade  fire  of  double  canister  ’ 
to  rally  a sufficient  number  of  their  men  to  enable  them  to 
secure  foothold  among  the  batteries.  General  Hays  writes  : — 

“ ‘ Here  we  came  upon  a considerable  body  of  the  enemy  and  a brisk 
musketry  fire  ensued.  At  the  same  time  his  artillery,  of  which  we  were 
now  within  canister  range,  opened  upon  us,  but  owing  to  the  darkness  of 
the  evening  now  verging  into  night,  and  the  deep  obscurity  afforded  by  the 
smoke  of  the  firing,  our  exact  locality  could  not  be  discovered  by  the 
enemy’s  gunners,  and  we  thus  escaped  what  in  the  full  light  of  day  could 
have  been  nothing  else  than  horrible  slaughter.’ — Official  Records,  Vol. 
27,  part  2,  page  480. 

" Colonel  Godwin,  commanding  Hoke’s  brigade  after  Colonel 
Avery  was  wounded,  writes  : — 

“ ‘After  the  summit  of  a hill  had  been  gained  it  was  discovered  that  the 
batteries  we  had  been  ordered  to  take  were  considerably  to  the  right  of  our 
(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  X,  pp.  362-364. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  SECOND  DAY. 


97 


right  flank  and  in  front  of  Hays’  brigade.  We  continued  to  advance,  how- 
ever, under  a terrific  fire,  climbed  a rail  fence  and  still  farther  beyond 
descended  into  a low  bottom  and  dislodged  a heavy  line  of  infantry  from  a 
stone-wall  running  parallel  with  our  front.  The  enemy’s  batteries  now 
enfiladed  us,  and  a destructive  fire  was  poured  into  our  ranks  from  a line  of 
infantry,  formed  in  rear  of  a stone-wall  running  at  a right  angle  with  our 
line  of  battle  and  immediately  below  the  battery.  Colonel  Avery  now 
ordered  a change  of  front  and  succeeded  in  wheeling  the  brigade  to  the 
right,  a movement  which  none  but  the  steadiest  veterans  could  have  exe- 
cuted under  such  circumstances;  three  stone-walls  had  to  be  surmounted  in 
swinging  around;  the  ground  was  rocky  and  uneven.  The  men  now  charged 
up  the  hill  with  heroic  determination;  in  this  charge  the  command  had 
become  much  separated,  and  in  the  darkness  it  was  now  found  impossible 
to  concentrate  more  than  forty  or  fifty  men  at  any  point  for  a further 
advance.  Major  Tate  with  a portion  of  the  6th  N.  C.  regiment,  aided  by  a 
small  number  of  the  9th  La.,  succeeded  in  capturing  a battery  on  the  right.’ 

"Major  Tate,  in  a letter  to  the  governor  of  North  Carolina, 
writes  : — 

“ ‘ Longstreet  charged  on  the  south  face  (of  the  heights)  and  was 
repulsed;  A.  P.  Hill  charged  on  the  west  face  and  had  been  repulsed;  and 
our  two  brigades  were,  late  in  the  evening,  ordered  to  charge  the  north 
front,  and  after  a struggle  such  as  this  war  has  furnished  no  parallel  to, 
seventy-five  North  Carolinians  of  the  sixth  regiment  and  twelve  Louisian- 
ians of  Hays’  brigade  scaled  the  walls  and  planted  the  colors  of  the  6th 
N.  C.  and  the  9th  La.  on  the  guns.  It  was  now  fully  dark.’ — Rebellion 
Records , Vol.  27,  part  2 , pp.  484-486. 

"That  is,  only  eighty-seven  men  out  of  Hoke’s  and  Hays’ 
brigades  succeeded  in  reaching  the  crest  of  East  Cemetery  Hill. 

"Colonel  Wainwright  states  : 'Their  centre  and  left  never 
mounted  the  hill  at  all,  but  their  right  worked  its  way  up 
under  cover  of  the  houses  and  pushed  its  way  completely 
through  Wiedrich’s  battery  into  Ricketts’  ’ (a) . 

" Our  only  loss  of  any  importance  this  evening  took  place 
about  this  time  ; a volley  from  that  portion  of  their  line  nearest 
us  killed  four  out  of  six  horses  on  the  left  piece,  the  one  most 
exposed  to  their  fire,  the  piece  which  nearly  touched  the  right 
of  the  33d  Mass,  regiment,  and  was  firing  obliquely  across 
their  front.  We  had  nearly  or  quite  expended  the  contents  of 
our  chests,  and  some  46-49  rounds  of  canister  had  been  hurled 
across  the  valley  and  up  the  slopes  of  the  ridge,  occupied  by 
the  enemy’s  left  and  centre,  when  the  cry  went  up  from  one 
end  of  the  battery  to  the  other  for  more  canister  and  for  more 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  358. 


98 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


friction  primers  ; but  our  work  had  already  been  accomplished. 
Little  by  little,  rapidly  at  first  and  then  more  slowly,  their 
lines  retreated,  and  we  could  see  that  they  were  falling  back 
by  their  receding  line  of  fire,  and  soon  all  was  quiet  in  our 
immediate  front.  I gave  the  order  to  limber  to  the  rear,  and 
then,  and  before  the  battery  moved,  I crept  down  the  slope  on 
the  right  of  the  battery  and  found  it  to  be  true  as  reported, 
that  the  enemy  was  in  full  retreat  from  our  front ; then,  and 
only  then,  was  the  battery  withdrawn  to  the  Baltimore  pike 
and  halted  while  I went  up  to  the  cemetery  gate,  there  found 
Colonel  Wainwright,  and  reported  to  him  what  I had  done  and 
why.  Infantry  was  at  once  placed  in  our  works,  and  in  obedi- 
ence to  Colonel  Wain wright’s  orders,  after  finding  Lieutenant 
Matthewson,  then  on  his  return  to  us  with  full  chests,  returned 
to  our  position,  turned  out  the  infantry  sleeping  there,  and  at 
10  : 30  everything  was  in  the  same  condition  as  before  the  fight 
of  the  evening,  only  better,  because  our  supply  of  ammunition 
was  more  nearly  complete  than  it  had  been  at  any  previous 
hour  of  that  day. 

" While  it  is  true  that,  on  this  occasion  the  battery  sustained 
no  material  loss,  it  should  not  be  lost  sight  of  that  our  position 
was  not  the  enemy’s  objective  point ; it  is  also  true,  that  the 
enemy  could  not  have  comprehended  the  importance  of  the 
position  we  occupied  with  reference  to  the  protection  it  afforded 
our  troops  on  Cemetery  Hill ; for  we  could  enfilade  any  line 
advancing  to  the  assault  of  that  crest,  and  could  cover  with  our 
canister  the  sharp  acclivity  of  the  hill  and  its  immediate  fore- 
ground, searching  their  advance  with  the  most  demoralizing 
and  destructive  of  all  that  is  possible  from  artillery,  an  enfilad- 
ing fire  of  double  canister ; and  more  than  all  this,  it  is  not 
what  a battery  loses,  it  is  the  loss  it  inflicts  which  is  the  true 
measure  of  its  effectiveness. 

" Some  rain  during  the  night  refreshed  while  it  wet  us  thor- 
ouglilv,  though  many  of  the  men  slept  through  it  all,  so  great 
was  their  fatigue.  ’The  last  sound  slumbers  of  the  night  held 
us  in  their  soft  but  sure  embrace  ’ until  early  dawn,  when  we 
were  violently  aroused  by  an  outburst  from  artillery  posted  on 
the  hill  where  the  Twelfth  corps  headquarters  were,  and  on  a 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  THIRD  DAY. 


99 


small  knoll  a little  nearer  our  position.  Twenty  guns  in  all  (a) 
opened  at  4 a.  m.,  at  the  short  range  of  600-800  yards,  on  the 
enemy  holding  possession  of  that  portion  of  our  line  vacated 
the  evening  before  by  the  Twelfth  corps.  This  cannonade  was 
continued  with  but  short  intervals  until  10  a.  m.  Meanwhile 
the  enemy  had  pushed  his  lines,  strongly  reinforced,  up  to  the 
base  and  along  the  slopes  of  Culp’s  Hill  for  its  whole  length, 
and  their  bullets  swept  the  crest  of  the  knoll  where  we  were, 
and  at  one  time  they  seemed  so  near  breaking  through  in  our 
front  that  canister  was  brought  up  from  the  limbers  and  cais- 
sons, and  piled  up  inside  our  works  behind  which  our  men 
sought  protection.  The  nearness  of  the  woods  in  our  right 
front,  through  which  they  would  have  come  had  they  broken 
through,  made  this  course  with  reference  to  ammunition 
imperative.  An  attempt  was  made  in  the  morning  to  place 
one  or  two  of  our  guns  in  the  woods  and  behind  the  earthworks 
on  the  higher  part  of  Culp’s  Hill,  where  a flank  fire  could  have 
been  obtained,  but  the  attempt  was  given  up  because  of  the 
impossibility  of  moving  the  guns  through  the  woods  without 
first  cutting  down  many  trees, — an  undertaking  considered  by 
General  Wadsworth’s  aide  too  hazardous. 

" The  battery  was  not  actively  engaged  during  the  3d. 
Orders  had  been  received  early  in  the  morning  to  fire  at  any 
and  all  considerable  bodies  of  troops  within  range,  and  this  was 
done  with  the  good  effect  of  forcing  all  troops  moving  to  rein- 
force Johnson  to  make  a long  detour  behind  Benner’s  Hill  and 
the  high  ground  on  the  further  side  of  Rock  Creek.  During 
the  forenoon  Col.  Wain wright  came  over  to  the  battery  and 
looked  us  over,  and  took  note  of  our  condition  and  the  oppor- 
tunities our  position  gave  us  to  command  the  open  country  from 
Culp’s  Hill  to  the  edge  of  the  town,  and  the  fields  from  Benner’s 

Hill  along  the  high  ground  towards  what  was  afterwards  known 
© © © 

as  Hospital  Hill ; and  he  said  to  me  that  he  hoped  we  realized 
that  we  held  ' one  of  the  most  important,  if  not  the  most  impor- 
tant position  on  the  whole  line.’ 

" I need  not  refer  to  any  other  incident  during  the  remaining 
portion  of  the  3d  than  the  sad  circumstance  of  the  wounding 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  871. 


100 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  death  of  corporal  Sullivan  Luce.  * * * I can  never 

forget  that  hour,  for  we  were  firing  into  the  town,  word  having 
been  sent  us  that  the  enemy  was  forming  there  for  another 
assault  on  Cemetery  Hill,  and  aide  after  aide  galloped  across 
to  our  position  with  orders  for  us  to  be  watchful  and  active. 
When  the  prisoners  of  Pickett’s  division  were  brought  over 
the  slope  of  Cemetery  Hill  towards  our  position,  and  before  we 
could  tell  that  the  enemy  had  been  repulsed,  it  seemed  as  if  our 
lines  were  broken,  and  that  our  way  out  was  blocked.  The 
battery  was  then  thrown  into  position  to  fire  to  the  rear,  and  in 
a moment  more  would  have  been  in  action,  but  then  came  the 
cheers  and  the  fight  was  ended. 

" General  Hunt,  chief  of  artillery  at  Gettysburg,  wrote  me 
under  date  of  June  13,  1887,  concerning  the  part  borne  by  the 
battery  at  Gettysburg  in  the  evening  of  the  second  day  : ' Its 

splendid  service  in  the  repulse  of  Ewell’s  attack  on  Cemetery 
Hill  was  one  of  the  marked  features  of  the  battle.’ 

"In  another  letter  written  in  1887,  General  Hunt  wrote  : 
' The  excellent  service  of  the  Fifth  Maine  battery,  posted  at  the 
head  of  the  ravine,  was  one  of  the  prominent  causes  of  the 
success.’ 

" Concerning  the  battery  and  at  an  earlier  date  in  its  history 
than  Gettysburg,  General  Hunt  said  : ’No  better  battery  than 
Leppien’s  could  be  found  in  the  United  States  service,  either 
volunteer  or  regular.’  (See  A.  G.  R.  Maine,  1863,  pp. 
123-125.) 

"Maj.-Gen.  Doubleday,  commanding  First  corps  at  Gettys- 
burg, replying  to  a request  that  he  would  write  some  words  of 
commendation  of  the  work  done  by  the  battery  while  in  his 
command  and  on  the  evening  of  July  2,  1863,  wrote  of  4 the 
brilliant  service  the  battery  performed  at  Gettysburg  in  repel- 
ling or  rather  crushing  the  attack  of  the  Texan  troops  in  their 
attempt  to  make  a permanent  lodgment  among  the  Eleventh 
corps  troops  on  Cemetery  Hill, — the  battery’s  enfilading  fire 
was  so  destructive  and  so  well  directed  that  only  a remnant  of 
Avery’s  and  Hays’  brigades  returned  to  their  original  positions 
in  line.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  testify  to  the  very  important 
part  borne  [by  the  battery]  and  to  its  great  influence  in  decid- 
ing the  victory  in  our  favor.’ 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  PARTICIPANTS. 


101 


" The  battery  came  into  my  charge,  as  it  did  into  the  care  of 
Captain  Stevens  my  immediate  predecessor,  a terrible  engine 
of  war,  tried  and  proven,  and  in  the  highest  degree  perfected, 
fresh  from  the  hands  of  a master  in  the  science  and  art  of  war, 
one  who  was  highly  accomplished  in  all  that  pertained  to  a light 
artillery  organization ; for  it  was  said  of  Leppien  as  early  as 
November,  1861,  by  an  authority  no  less  distinguished  than 
General  Barry,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  defenses  of  Washington  : 
' He  knows  all  about  artillery  from  the  face  of  the  piece  to  the 
tips  of  the  leader’s  ears.’  Well  and  nobly  did  he  fulfill  the 
promise  of  his  earlier  years  ; how  well,  the  record  bears  abun- 
dant and  indisputable  evidence.” 


PARTICIPANTS. 

Officers  and  men  of  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery  present  for 
duty  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1,  2,  and  3,  1863. 

COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS. 

Captain,  Greenlief  T.  Stevens,  Augusta. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edward  N.  Whittier,  Gorham. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  O.  Hunt,  Gorham. 

SERGEANTS. 

Lorrin  E.  Bundy,  Columbia,  N.  H.,  James  L.  Loomis,  Colebrook,  N.  H., 
James  C.  Bartlett,  Bethel,  James  W.  White,  Vassalboro. 

CORPORALS. 

Lemuel  A.  Cummings,  Augusta,  Edward  P.  Stearns,  Bethel, 

James  H.  Lebroke,  Lewiston,  David  I.  Black,  Hanover,  N.  H., 

Andrew  J.  Welch,  Wells,  Charles  A.  Hinckley,  Belgrade, 

Roliston  Woodbury,  Sweden,  Michael  Hickey,  Lewiston, 

Hiram  M.  Paul,  Stewartstown,  N.  H. 

Musician:  Calvin  W.  Richardson,  Lewiston. 

ARTIFICERS. 

John  Murphy,  Portland,  Alden  S.  Dudley,  Augusta, 

William  H.  Huskins,  Belgrade.  Charles  O.  Kennard,  Portland, 

Isaiah  W.  Spiller,  Gilead. 

PRIVATES. 

Bailey,  Warren  B.,  Lisbon,  Berry,  William,  Portland, 

Blackman,  Joseph  B.,  Augusta,  Bradley,  Michael,  Portland, 

Brown,  Charles  E.,  Carratunk  PI.,  Brown  Rufus,  Brighton,* 

Brown,  Sylvester  L., Colebrook,  N.  H.  Brown,  William  C.  A.,  Poland, 

Bryant,  Charles  M.,  Winslow,  Cannon,  Joseph  B.,  Farmingdale, 

Casey,  James,  Portland,  Chase,  John  F.,  Augusta, 

Clapp,  Andrew  J.,  Portland,  Cook,  Charles  W.,  Athens, 

* Given  as  Bridgton  on  company  rolls. 


102 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Connor,  Maurice  O.,  P.  Edward’s  Is., 
Cummings,  Henry  A.,  Augusta, 
Dutton,  Ruel  W.,  Augusta, 
Hamilton,  Henry  A.,  Vassalboro, 
Harmon,  Algernon  S.,  Portland, 
Heath,  Albert,  Pittsburg, 

Hussey,  John  F.,  Augusta, 

Leonard,  William,  Lewiston, 

Luce,  Sullivan,  Auburn, 

Mennealy,  Thos.  B., Columbia,  N.  H. 
Morse,  Bennett,  Grafton, 

Paine,  John  A.,  Hallowell, 

Powers,  Corydon,  Hanover, 

St.  Clair,  Isaac  P.,  Lisbon, 

Smith,  Charles,  Hallowed, 
Sukeforth,  James  L.,  Washington, 
Towne,  William  I.,  Vassalboro, 
Varney,  Alden  M.,  Houlton, 
Warren,  Edward,  Lewiston, 
Whittier,  George  W.,  Gorham, 
Witham,  Edwin  F.,  Loved, 

Woods,  John,  Portland, 

Worster,  John,  Belgrade. 


Crane,  Charles  L.,  Fayette, 

Dunton,  David  H., Pleasant  Ridge  PI., 
Greene,  Patrick,  Lewiston, 

Hanson,  John  H.,  Lewiston, 

Harris,  Horace,  Stewartstown,  N.  H., 
Hinkley,  Alonzo,  Lisbon, 

Kelly,  Patrick,  Portland, 

Lombard,  James  A.,  Belgrade, 
Maxwell,  Richard  E.,  Minot, 

, Mitchell,  Stephen,  Paris, 

Nevers,  William  H.,  Sweden, 

Pike,  Charles  E.,  Bridgton, 

Ryan,  William,  Augusta, 

Simpson,  Aaron,  Sheffield,  Vt., 
Spider,  Francis  J.,  Gilead, 
Thompson,  Eben,  Portland, 

Tuttle,  Wilbert  D.,  Athens, 

Varney,  John  H.,  Manchester, 

White,  Henry,  Stratford,  N.  H., 
Witham,  Charles  C.,  Portland, 
Withee,  Charles  A.,  Madison, 

Woods,  Joseph,  Portland, 


On  Daily  Duty  and  Detached  Service. 

Sergeants:  George  W.  Woodbury,  Sweden,  in  quartermaster  and 
commissary  department;  John  A.  Brown,  Portland. 

Wagoner:  Joseph  L.  Marston,  Portland,  forage  master. 

Privates:  Henry  H.  Hunt,  Gorham,  acting  hospital  steward;  Frank 
E.  Pearson,  Orono,  and  John  P.  Ryan,  Augusta,  in  invalid  detachment. 

Not  included  in  the  above  there  were  fifty-three  men  serving  with  the 
battery  detached  from  the  83d  and  94th  N.  Y.  regiments. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

Captain:  Greenlief  T.  Stevens,  wounded  July  2,  both  legs. 
Second  Lieutenant:  Charles  O.  Hunt,  wounded  July  1,  leg. 

PRIVATES. 

Bailey,  Warren  B.,  wounded  July  1,  leg. 

Brown,  Sylvester  L.,  wounded;  died  Sept.  13. 

Bryant,  Charles  M.,  killed  July  1. 

Chase,  John  F.,  wounded  July  3,  arm  and  eye. 

Leonard,  William,  wounded  July  1,  chest. 

Lombard,  James  A.,  wounded  July  3,  leg. 

Luce,  Sullivan,  killed  July  3. 

Paine,  John  A.,  wounded  July  1,  arm. 

St.  Clair,  Isaac  P.,  prisoner  July  1. 

Simpson,  Aaron,  wounded  July  1,  wrist. 

Smith,  Charles,  prisoner  July  1. 

Witham,  Edwin  F.,  wounded  July  1,  ankle. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


103 


The  following  casualties  occurred  among  the  men  from  the 
94th  N.  Y.  : 

Privates:  John  Berry,  prisoner  July  i;  John  Dwyer,  prisoner  July  i; 

Huntermark,  prisoner  July  i;  Hosea  Kenyon,  wounded  July  3;  A. 

C.  Marvin,  prisoner  July  1;  Homer  Nichols,  wohnded  July  3;  James  F.  Sea- 
coy,  wounded  July  3;  William  Widner,  killed  July  1. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  FIFTH  MAINE  BATTERY. 

BY  BREVET  MAJOR  GREENLIEE  T.  STEVENS. 

This  battery  was  raised  at  large  and  entered  the  service 
under  favorable  auspices.  It  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  December  4,  1861,  officered  as  follows  : 

George  F.  Leppien,  Portland,  Captain  ; William  F.  Twitch- 
ell,  Portland,  Greenlief  T.  Stevens,  Augusta,  First  Lieutenants  ; 
Adelbert  B.  Twitchell,  Bethel,  Ezra  Clark,  Portland,  Second 
Lieutenants. 

The  battery  was  rendezvoused  at  Augusta  until  the  tenth  day 
of  March,  1862,  on  which  day  it  left  for  Portland,  and  remained 
quartered  at  Fort  Preble  until  April  1st,  when  it  proceeded  to 
Washington.  There  it  remained  until  the  19th  of  May,  when 
it  embarked  for  Acquia  Creek,  Va.  Then  field  operations 
commenced  which  continued  to  the  close  of  the  war. 

Gettysburg  was  only  one  of  the  many  engagements  in  which 
the  battery  bore  an  honorable  part.  During  its  entire  term  of 
service  it  was  continually  at  the  front  excepting  a brief  period 
in  the  fall  of  1862,  refitting  after  being  roughly  treated  by  the 
enemy.  It  served  in  succession  under  McDowell,  Pope,  Mc- 
Clellan, Burnside,  Hooker,  Meade,  Grant  and  Sheridan.  On 
August  9,  1862,  at  Cedar  Mountain,  Va.,  the  battery  was  first 
under  fire  (a).  It  took  position  at  night  during  a heavy  can- 
nonade but  was  not  engaged,  and  sustained  no  losses. 

On  the  twentieth  day  of  August,  1862,  the  battery  was  at 
Rappahannock  Station  in  position  on  the  northerly  bank  of  the 
river  covering  and  protecting  the  bridge  at  that  place,  and  on 
the  two  days  following  engaged  the  enemy’s  artillery  and  assisted 

(a)  Sometimes  called  Cedar  Run  and  Slaughter’s  Mountain. 


104 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


in  dispersing  a body  of  their  infantry  attempting  to  form  near 
the  bridge. 

On  the  23d  the  battery  covered  the  retreat  to  Warrenton 
during  which  one  of  the  guns  was  disabled  by  recoil  and  was 
sent  to  the  rear.  On  August  28th  the  battery  fell  back  with 
the  division  to  Thoroughfare  Gap  ; but  the  enemy  was  there  in 
advance,  holding  possession,  and  were  masters  of  the  situation. 
In  the  afternoon  the  battery  was  engaged,  taking  position  on 
a steep  knoll  and  bring  across  the  gorge. 

Three  days  previous  to  this  " Stonewall  ” Jackson  (Thomas 
J.)  by  a circuitous  route  had  stolen  quietly  away  under  the 
direction  of  his  chief  and  marched  his  entire  corps  around  the 
right  flank  of  our  army  by  way  of  Amissville,  Orleans  and 
Salem,  keeping  thus  far  west  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains.  He 
passed  the  main  body  of  his  corps  through  Thoroughfare  Gap 
in  these  mountains  two  days  before  the  Fifth  battery  was  there, 
and  on  the  night  of  the  26th  was  at  Bristoe  Station  on  the 
Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad  in  rear  of  our  army  and  between 
it  and  Washington,  thus  breaking  General  Pope’s  communica- 
tion by  railroad  with  his  base  of  supplies  and  compelling  him 
to  abandon  his  position  on  the  Rappahannock  and  make  a hasty 
retreat  without  a decisive  battle  being  fought  (a). 

On  August  30th  the  battery  was  on  the  battlefield  of  Bull 
Run.  On  the  afternoon  of  that  disastrous  day,  when  the  battle 
had  become  general  and  was  raging  with  great  violence  along 
the  whole  line,  our  left  was  sorely  pressed,  and  quickly  Gen- 
eral Tower  was  sent  with  the  Second  and  Third  brigades  of 
Ricketts’  division  and  the  Second  and  Fifth  Maine  batteries,  for 
its  relief.  This  position  our  troops  endeavored  most  gallantly 
to  maintain.  But  infantry  and  artillery  alike  were  overwhelmed 
and  the  enemy  were  at  once  in  the  midst  of  the  battery.  Our 
troops  suffered  severely.  Four  guns  of  the  Fifth  battery  were 
captured.  One  gun  and  the  line  of  caissons  were  saved.  Gen- 
eral Tower  fell,  seriously  wounded.  Lieutenant  William  F. 
Twitchell,  who  was  in  command  of  the  battery,  was  killed  and 
left  on  the  field  ; his  body,  however,  was  afterwards  recovered 
and  sent  to  his  friends  in  Maine.  He  was  mounted  when  shot. 


(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  12,  part  2,  page  181. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


105 


The  fatal  bullet  struck  him  in  the  right  side  through  the  vest 
pocket.  A buck-shot  hole  was  also  found  through  one  of  his 
gloves  (a).  Sergt.  Orrison  Woods  and  George  W.  Stone  of 
Augusta  and  James  Thompson  of  Houlton  were  also  killed. 
Sergt.  George  E.  Freeman  of  Portland  and  privates  John  Finley 
of  Lewiston  and  Ezra  T.  Fletcher  of  Stewartstown,  N.  H.,  were 
mortally  wounded.  George  T.  Bishop  and  Horace  Harris  of 
Stewartstown,  John  McCormic  of  Vassalboro,  Jonathan  B. 
Wescott  of  Athens  and  Eli  Whitney  of  Denmark  were  wounded. 

General  Ricketts,  in  speaking  of  the  artillery  of  his  division 
in  that  engagement  in  his  official  report,  said  : " Captains 

Mathews’  and  Thompson’s  Penn,  batteries  and  Captains  Lep- 
pien’s  and  Hall’s  Maine  batteries  deserve  to  be  mentioned  not 
only  for  their  uniform  attention  to  their  duties,  but  for  their 
efficiency  throughout  the  30th  of  August.” 

After  this  engagement  the  battery  was  ordered  to  Washing- 
ton to  refit  and  rejoin  the  division  at  the  earliest  possible  date. 

The  battery  next  confronted  the  enemy  at  Fredericksburg. 
It  crossed  the  Rappahannock  December  12,  1862,  on  the  lower 
pontoon  bridge.  It  was  in  the  left  Grand  Division  which  was 
commanded  by  General  Franklin.  After  crossing,  the  battery 
parked  some  ten  or  twelve  hundred  yards  southwest  of  a large 
stone  mansion,  where  it  remained  until  the  morning  of  the 
13th.  Then  it  moved  with  the  division  in  a southeasterly 
direction  along  the  enemy’s  front  and  took  position  in  rear  of 
an  embankment  at  a sunken  road,  which  furnished  a partial 
protection  for  men,  horses  and  pieces. 

About  three  o’clock  and  thirty  minutes  in  the  afternoon  the 
battery  under  orders  moved  to  the  left  of  the  division,  crossed 
the  road  and  took  position  in  front  of  Birney’s  division.  At 
four  o’clock  p.  m.  or  perhaps  a little  later  the  enemy  opened  a 
brisk  cannonade  from  the  woods  in  our  direct  front  at  a dis- 
tance of  900  yards,  which  the  Fifth  and  the  other  batteries  on 
that  part  of  the  line  answered  by  a rapid  and  effective  fire. 
The  enemy’s  guns  were  silenced  in  less  than  twenty  minutes. 
About  five  o’clock  the  enemy  again  opened  from  a position 

(a)  Captain  Leppien,  disabled  by  painful  disease,  was  riding  in  an  ambulance  on 
that  occasion.  Lieutenant  Stevens  was  absent  under  special  orders.  The  command 
of  the  battery  thus  devolved  upon  Second  Lieutenant  A.  B.  Twitchell. 


106 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


further  to  our  left  and  were  again  readily  silenced.  The  bat- 
tery maintained  that  position  during  the  night  of  the  13th. 
On  Sunday,  the  14th,  it  threw  several  shots  at  the  enemy  with- 
out reply,  after  which  it  was  withdrawn  and  resumed  its  former 
position  in  rear  of  the  embankment  at  the  sunken  road. 

During  the  engagement  Captain  Leppien  was  also  acting 
chief  of  artillery  of  Gibbon’s  division,  and  in  his  absence, 
which  was  a large  portion  of  the  time,  the  battery  was  under 
the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenant  Stevens. 

Captain  Randolph,  chief  of  artillery  of  Birney’s  division, 
Third  corps,  which  was  serving  with  the  First  corps,  after 
complimenting  the  batteries  under  his  own  command  in  his 
official  report  said  : " The  batteries  of  Captains  Cooper  and 

Leppien  on  my  left  did  good  service.  The  practice  of  the 
Fifth  Maine  (Captain  Leppien’s)  attracted  my  special  notice 
and  admiration”  (a). 

In  this  engagement  the  battery  lost  no  men  either  killed  or 
wounded,  and  from  any  data  at  hand  we  are  unable  to  give  the 
number  of  horses  killed  or  ammunition  expended. 

After  the  battle  at  Fredericksburg  the  battery  went  into 
quarters  near  Fletcher’s  Chapel,  Va.,  where  it  remained  until 
the  twentieth  day  of  January  of  the  following  year,  when  it 
broke  camp  and  marched  to  near  Banks’  Ford  on  the  Rappa- 
hannock. The  storms  of  winter  had  been  heavy.  The  ground 
had  been  frozen  and  thawed,  and  the  roads,  after  a few  thou- 
sand troops  with  their  artillery  and  wagons  had  passed  over 
them,  became  beds  of  deep  mire.  They  were  next  to  impass- 
able, and  the  whole  army  was  virtually  stuck  in  the  mud. 
This  was  known  as  "Burnside’s  Mud  March.”  On  the  return  of 
the  army  to  its  winter  quarters  the  battery  re-occupied  its  old 
camp.  After  General  Hooker  succeeded  General  Burnside, 
the  battery  was  assigned  to  the  artillery  brigade  of  the  First 
corps.  On  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  April  the  battery  again 
broke  camp  and  moved  to  the  bank  of  the  Rappahannock  near 
General  Franklin’s  crossing;  and  on  the  second  day  of  May 
marched  up  the  river  and  crossed  the  same  at  United  States 
Ford  and  encamped  for  the  night  between  the  river  and  Chan- 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  21,  page  3G5. 


STEVENS  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


107 


cellorsville.  On  Sunday,  the  third  of  May,  about  eight  o’clock 
in  the  forenoon,  orders  were  received  by  Captain  Leppien  from 
Colonel  Wainwright,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  First  corps,  to 
move  the  battery  to  the  front  and  report,  to  General  Reynolds, 
commanding  the  corps. 

While  on  the  way  to  the  front,  orders  were  received  from 
General  Hooker  that  the  batteries  in  reserve  should  move  along 
to  Chancellorsville,  which  was  near  the  centre  of  our  line,  and 
report  to  the  chief  of  artillery  there.  On  arriving  and  report- 
ing, the  battery  was  ordered  to  take  position  in  an  open  field 
just  to  the  right  of  the  Chancellor  House,  the  left  piece  being 
near  one  of  the  outbuildings.  The  enemy’s  line  extended  along 
the  southerly  edge  of  the  field  and  into  the  woods  at  an  esti- 
mated distance  of  450  or  500  yards. 

As  soon  as  the  battery  emerged  from  the  woods  and  made 
its  appearance  upon  the  open  field  their  infantry  was  removed 
from  our  front,  which  disclosed  their  artillery  posted  in  the 
rear  and  partially  covered  by  a slight  elevation.  The  enemy 
had  our  exact  range.  He  immediately  opened  upon  us  the 
most  galling  and  destructive  fire  that  the  battery  ever  experi- 
enced ; its  location  furnished  not  the  slightest  protection,  and 
our  men  and  horses  began  to  fall  before  the  battery  was  in 
position.  The  following  communication  to  the  Adjutant-Gen- 
eral of  Maine  tells  the  sad  story  in  brief  : 

*' Headquarters  Fifth  Battery  Maine  Vols., 

Camp  Near  White  Oak  Church,  Va.,  May  8,  1863. 

General:  — Enclosed  I have  the  honor  to  hand  you  Monthly  Returns 
for  the  month  of  April  of  the  battery  under  my  command,  also  a list  of 
killed  and  wounded  of  the  battery  in  the  recent  action  of  May  3,  1863.  I 
shall  as  soon  as  possible  transmit  to  you  a detailed  report  of  the  part  per- 
formed by  the  battery  in  that  action. 

I remain,  General,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  T.  Stevens,  Lieutenant , Commanding  Battery. 
Brig. -Gen.  John  L.  Hodsdon,  Adjt.-Gen' l State  of  Maine, 

Augusta,  Maine.” 

List  of  killed  and  wounded  in  action  of  May  3,  1863  : 


KILLED. 


Sergt.  William  F.  Locke, 


Corp.  Benjamin  F.  Grover. 


William  W.  Ripley, 
James  Nason, 


PRIVATES. 

Timothy  Sullivan,* 
James  P.  Holt. 


108 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


WOUNDED. 

Capt.  George  F.  Leppien,  severely,  left  leg  amputated. 

Lieut.  G.  T.  Stevens,  slightly,  flesh  wound  left  side. 

Lieut.  A.  B.  Twitchell,  severely,  flesh  wound  in  leg,  two  fingers  amputated. 
Sergt.  James  C.  Bartlett,  slight,  leg. 

Sergt.  Andrew  McRae,  severely,  right  breast. 

Corp.  Lemuel  A.  Cummings,  slight,  neck. 

PRIVATES. 


Alonzo  Hinkley,  slight,  face. 
Charles  L.  Crane,  slight,  foot. 
Edwin  F.  Witham,  slight,  foot. 
Joseph  Woods,  slight,  face. 

Charles  M.  Kimball,  severely,  arm. 
William  H.  Nason,  severely,  hand. 
James  Russell,*  severely,  back. 
Joseph  Holsinger,*  slight,  arm. 

Total:  Six  men  killed,  three  o 
* Detached  from  the  136th  regiment 


John  Bolinger,*  slight,  head. 
Roliston  Woodbury,  slight,  back. 
Heylep  Powers,*  slight,  arm. 
Napoleon  B.  Perkins,  severely,  leg. 
Edward  A.  Stewart,  severely,  leg. 
Edwin  L.  Knowlton,  severely,  leg. 
Cornelius  O’Neil,  severely,  leg. 
George  Dennison,  severely,  side, 
cers  and  nineteen  men  wounded, 
inn.  Vols.  and  serving  in  the  battery. 


Captain  Leppien  was  the  first  officer  wounded.  He  was  on 
his  horse.  The  battery  was  in  full  play.  Every  gun  was  being 
worked  to  its  utmost  capacity.  An  exploded  shell  struck  his 
leg  not  far  from  the  ankle  joint  nearly  severing  the  foot. 
Amputation  followed,  after  great  loss  of  blood,  then  extreme 
prostration  and  finally  death  on  Sunday,  May  24th,  in  the  city 
of  Washington.  He  held  a Lieut. -Col’s  commission  in  the 
Maine  Mounted  Artillery,  but  on  account  of  some  delay  was  not 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  such  until  May  18th. 
He  rests  in  a patriot’s  grave  in  Laurel  Hill  Cemetery  on  the 
banks  of  the  Schuylkill  near  Philadelphia,  the  city  in  which  he 
was  born. 

Lieutenant  Stevens  was  the  next  officer  wounded.  He  was 
hit  or  grazed  by  a shot  or  shell  which  felled  him  to  the  ground, 
tearing  the  clothing  from  his  side  and  giving  him  a severe 
shock  with  a slight  flesh  wound. 

The  command  of  the  battery  then  devolved  upon  Lieut.  A. 
B.  Twitched,  who  continued  to  work  the  battery  until  it  was 
nearly  silenced  for  want  of  cannoneers,  most  of  them  being 
killed  or  wounded,  and  he  himself  severely  wounded. 

The  battery  was  thus  deprived  of  its  three  ranking  offi- 
cers, when  Lieutenant  Edmund  Kirby  of  Battery  I,  1st  U. 
S.  artillery,  was  ordered  by  General  Couch  to  its  assistance. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


109 


He  had  scarcely  arrived  when  his  horse  lost  a fore  leg  by  a 
cannon  shot.  Kirby  called  for  a pistol  which  was  handed  him 
and  he  shot  his  horse  on  the  spot.  That  scene  had  hardly  been 
enacted  when  Lieut.  Kirby  received  a fatal  wound,  his  thigh 
being  smashed  by  a ball  from  a spherical  case  shot.  He  lost 
his  leg  and  lost  his  life. 

Beside  the  three  officers  of  the  battery  who  had  been  dis- 
abled, not  including  Lieut.  Kirby,  six  men  had  been  killed  and 
nineteen  men  wounded  and  forty-three  horses  killed.  Corporal 
James  H.  Lebroke  then  informed  General  Hancock  of  the 
condition  of  affairs,  who  ordered  a detail  from  the  infantry 
which  removed  the  pieces  by  hand  to  a place  of  safety.  One 
gun  and  the  caissons  had  previously  been  taken  from  the  field. 
The  gun  was  disabled.  It  was  struck  on  the  face  by  a solid 
shot  and  its  muzzle  closed.  Notwithstanding  the  disadvantages 
under  which  the  battery  labored,  the  men  behaved  in  the  most 
gallant  manner,  continuing  to  work  their  pieces  until  their 
ammunition  at  hand  was  exhausted. 

The  Chancellor  house,  which  was  being  used  as  a hospital, 
was  shelled  and  fired  by  the  enemy.  The  wounded  were 
removed  from  within  and  around  it,  and  by  ten  o’clock  in  the 
forenoon  our  whole  line  fell  back  in  the  direction  of  the  United 
States  Ford  and  established  a new  line  half  a mile  to  the  rear 
of  its  former  position.  No  Union  troops  thereafter  occupied 
the  position  vacated  by  the  battery. 

Lieut. -Col.  C.  H.  Morgan,  chief  of  artillery,  Second  corps, 
in  his  official  report  said : "I  do  not  think  it  [the  ground] 
could  have  been  held  by  any  number  of  guns  I could  have 
placed  in  the  contracted  ground  near  the  Chancellor  house  ” (a) . 
With  great  exertion  the  battery  was  brought  to  White  Oak 
Church,  refitted,  and  a large  detail  obtained  from  the  infantry 
was  drilled  and  made  efficient  by  the  time  the  army  moved 
north  on  the  Gettysburg  campaign. 

Batteries  of  mounted  artillery  in  the  service  were  called  or 
named  after  their  captains  or  permanent  commanders  who  were 
chargeable  with  and  accountable  for  all  of  the  property  belong- 
ing to  the  same.  As  their  commanders  changed,  the  name  of 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  25,  part  1,  page  310. 


no 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  battery  changed  also.  Thus  the  Fifth  Maine  Battery  was 
known  as  Leppien’s  battery  up  to  and  including  the  battle  of 
Chancellorsville.  Subsequently  the  same  battery,  in  the  offi- 
cial reports  and  in  history,  having  changed  its  captain  and  per- 
manent commander  was  known  and  called  Stevens’  battery. 
The  same  applied  to  all  batteries,  regulars  and  volunteers  alike. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Maine  Mounted  Artillery  was 
raised  and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  inde- 
pendent batteries.  Under  this  arrangement  there  was  no 
promotion  beyond  a captaincy.  The  captain  was  the  highest 
officer.  To  obviate  this  seeming  hardship  the  several  batteries 
in  the  field  formed  a quasi-regime  ntal  organization  among 
themselves  and  asked  the  appointment  and  muster  of  field 
officers.  This  was  granted  by  the  war  department  rather  as 
an  act  of  favoritism  towards  the  Maine  artillery  than  a strict 
military  right. 

In  chronological  order  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  an  account 
of  which  has  already  been  given,  came  next.  In  November 
of  that  year  the  battery  took  part  in  the  Mine  Run  campaign. 
Its  service  consisted  only  in  marching  and  counter-marching 
until  it  finally  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Culpeper,  Va.,  and 
was  at  that  place  when  General  Grant  arrived  and  established 
his  headquarters  there. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  reor- 
ganized. The  old  First  corps  that  had  won  renown  under 
General  Reynolds  was  merged  into  the  Fifth  corps.  The  Third 
corps  (formerly  Sickles’)  became  a part  of  the  Second  corps 
and  the  Fifth  battery  was  temporarily  assigned  to  the  artillery 
reserve. 

On  May  4th  the  army  commenced  its  colossal  campaign  of 
that  year.  The  battery  crossed  the  Rapidan  at  Ely’s  Ford  and 
encamped  for  the  night  near  the  battlefield  of  Chancellorsville. 
On  the  5th  the  enemy  were  encountered  in  force  in  the  Wilder- 
ness and  from  subsequent  events  both  Grant  and  Lee  were 
evidently  fired  with  determination  to  win.  There  was  but 
little  skirmishing  to  foreshadow  the  coming  storm,  the  strangest 
battle  ever  fought,  one  that  no  man  could  see.  Its  progress 
could  only  be  determined  by  the  crashing  volleys  of  musketry 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


Ill 


and  the  Union  cheer  and  rebel  yell  as  the  lines  swayed  back 
and  forth.  It  is  impossible  to  conceive  of  a held  worse  adapted 
to  the  movements  of  a great  army.  The  country  was  thickly 
wooded,  with  an  occasional  opening  and  intersected  by  a few 
narrow  roads.  "It  is  the  region  of  gloom  and  the  shadow  of 
death.”  Manoeuvring  for  advantage  was  out  of  the  question. 
The  troops  could  only  receive  direction  by  point  of  the  com- 
pass. Commanders  could  not  see  their  own  lines  of  battle, 
but  there  came  out  of  the  depth  of  the  forest  the  roll  and  crash 
of  musketry,  volley  upon  volley,  that  told  the  sad  story  of  death. 

Artillery  was  almost  entirely  ruled  out  of  use,  and  cavalry 
was  but  a little  more  useful.  The  contest  continued  two  days, 
but  it  decided  nothing.  It  was  in  every  feature  a drawn  battle, 
and  its  result  was  only  shown  in  the  thousands  of  dead  and 
wounded  in  blue  and  gray  that  lay  scattered  through  that  dismal 
forest.  The  battery  stood  in  harness  both  night  and  day  and 
was  once  or  twice  in  position  but,  like  most  of  the  271  held 
guns  that  crossed  the  Rapidan  with  the  army,  was  not  engaged 
in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  (a)  On  May  17th  the  battery 
was  withdrawn  from  the  artillery  reserve  and  assigned  to  the 
Sixth  corps  under  General  Wright  and  ordered  to  report  to 
Colonel  C.  H.  Tompkins,  chief  of  artillery.  This  was  Sedg- 
wick’s old  fighting  corps,  but  Sedgwick  was  not  then  living. 
He  was  killed  on  the  9th,  eight  days  before  the  battery  joined 
the  corps.  On  the  21st  the  battery  was  in  line  near  Spotsyl- 
vania Court  House  and  engaged  the  enemy,  expending  118 
rounds  of  ammunition  without  loss. 

On  the  24th  the  battery  crossed  the  North  Anna  at  Jericho 
Ford,  and  the  next  day  struck  the  Virginia  Central  Railroad 
and  shelled  the  enemy  near  Little  River  while  reinforcing  their 
pickets.  The  railroad  was  effectually  cut,  the  track  torn  up, 
the  ties  piled  and  burned  and  the  rails  heated  and  bent,  render- 
ing them  useless.  On  May  26th  the  battery  recrossed  the 
North  Anna,  marched  to  the  Pamunkey,  crossed  the  river  and 
entrenched,  and  on  the  2 7th  was  in  the  advance  guard  ; the  next 
day  was  in  the  rear  guard,  and  tired  eight  or  ten  rounds  at  the 

(a)  The  274  guns  do  not  include  eight  Coehorn  mortars  and  42  guns  of  the  Ninth 
corps  (Burnside’s)  which  joined  the  army  in  May.  The  Confederates  had  213  field 
guns  which  were  but  little  used. 


112 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


enemy’s  cavalry  that  harassed  the  rear  of  our  column.  This 
was  during  the  march  to  Cold  Harbor  where  the  battery  arrived 
on  the  first  day  of  June;  but  Sheridan  was  there  in  advance, 
and  with  his  ever  present  cavalry  had  driven  the  enemy  from 
their  barricades,  capturing  half  a regiment  of  cavalry  and  a few 
of  Hoke’s  infantry. 

The  battery  was  not  at  once  ordered  into  position  ; but  on 
the  second  day  of  J une,  by  direction  of  the  corps  chief  of  artil- 
lery, Lieut.  Bucklyn,  aide-de-camp,  and  the  captain  of  the  bat- 
tery made  a reconnaissance,  on  their  hands  and  knees,  in  front 
of  the  First  division  through  the  ferns  and  low  bushes  to  ascer- 
tain whether  the  position  would  be  tenable  for  artillery,  and 
they  decided  that,  if  proper  earthworks  were  thrown  up,  artillery 
could  be  used  to  good  advantage,  and  so  reported  at  head- 
quarters. No  man  in  that  position  could  stand  upright  without 
being  shot  in  a moment.  Consequently  the  services  of  Captain 
Walker  of  the  Fifth  Maine  regiment  with  his  company  of  pio- 
neers were  secured,  and  as  soon  as  dark,  earthworks,  rude  but  of 
a substantial  character,  were  constructed  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  Gaines’  Mill  road,  and  at  two  o’clock  at  night  the  pieces 
of  one  section  (two  guns)  were  quietly  placed  in  the  works  by 
hand,  it  being  imprudent  to  bring  the  horses  within  100  yards, 
as  the  least  noise  would  draw  the  enemy’s  fire  who  were  not 
more  than  275  yards  away.  Four  ammunition  chests  were  dis- 
mounted and  placed  in  trenches  dug  for  their  security,  and  such 
other  ammunition  as  was  deemed  requisite  was  taken  from  the 
caissons,  wrapped  in  ponchos  and  placed  in  the  gun  pits  for 
immediate  use.  The  horses  and  limbers  were  sent  to  a ravine 
in  the  woods  some  400  yards  to  the  rear.  The  captain  and 
seven  men  with  each  gun  took  position  in  the  gun  pits,  and  at 
four  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  our  lines  were  advanced, 
when  these  two  guns  immediately  opened,  showering  the  ene- 
my’s rifle  pits  with  canister  and  driving  and  keeping  the  enemy 
in  front  down  in  their  trenches.  During  the  early  part  of  the 
day  no  attention  was  paid  to  the  enemy’s  artillery  as  their  fire 
was  principally  directed  at  these  two  guns  and  doing  but  little 
harm,  their  projectiles  either  striking  and  stopping  in  the  earth 
in  front  or  passing  harmlessly  over  head  and  exploding,  many 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


113 


of  them,  far  to  the  rear.  A battery  that  was  posted  directly  in 
front,  less  than  300  yards  distant,  when  it  became  troublesome 
was  twice  shelled  into  silence  during  the  day.  The  enemy’s 
shells  having  the  plug  fuse  would  not  work  at  such  short  range, 
while  our  battery  was  furnished  with  the  Bormann  fuse,  which 
could  be  cut  to  explode  at  any  distance  required  within  range 
of  the  guns. 

On  that  day  and  at  that  point  no  other  artillery  was  on  the 
front  line,  but  these  two  guns  made  themselves  heard  both  far 
and  near.  An  eye-witness  reported  as  follows  : " In  the  battle 
of  Cold  Harbor,  Stevens’  battery,  belonging  to  the  Sixth  corps, 
was  so  near  the  rebel  line  that  the  soldiers  nicknamed  it ' Battery 
Insult.’  It  stirred  up  the  rebels  in  a most  aggravating  manner, 
and  was  an  excessively  dangerous  spot  to  be  seen  in.  After 
the  discharge  of  the  pieces  hundreds  of  bullets  would  zip  through 
the  embrasures  and  around  the  earthworks  ; occasionally  round 
shot  would  batter  down  portions  of  the  work,  but  the  artillerists 
stuck  to  it  and  did  good  execution.” 

On  June  4th  the  battery  was  not  engaged,  and  on  the  morn- 
ins:  of  the  5th  between  two  and  three  o’clock  these  two  guns 
were  withdrawn,  having  expended  16  canister,  16  shell,  64  solid 
shot  and  128  spherical  case  without  the  loss  of  a man  either 
killed  or  wounded. 

On  the  7th  the  battery  was  ordered  to  report  to  Major- 
General  Birney,  commanding  a division  of  the  Second  corps, 
as  he  was  short  of  artillery,  and  was  immediately  ordered  into 
position  at  Barker’s  Mill  on  the  right  of  Mott’s  brigade,  which 
at  that  time  formed  the  left  of  our  line.  On  the  evening  of  the 
8th  received  orders  from  General  Birney  that  for  every  shot 
that  the  enemy  threw  at  his  headquarters,  which  were  on  an 
elevation  across  the  mill  pond  in  rear  of  the  battery,  to  throw 
one  on  Turkey  Hill,  which  was  at  right  angles  with  the  enemy’s 
battery.  This  practice  was  continued  for  an  hour  or  more, 
when  the  enemy  discovering  the  modus  operandi  ceased  their 
fire.  Ammunition  expended,  19  shot  and  16  shell.  The  enemy, 
using  the  Whitworth  gun,  were  at  least  one  mile  distant  across 
the  Chickahominy. 

On  the  9th  engaged  the  enemy  at  a distance  of  1,000  yards, 


114 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


expending  32  shot,  159  spherical  case  and  19  shell.  No  cas- 
ualties were  met  with  as  the  battery  was  well  protected  by  earth- 
works thrown  up  during  the  first  night  under  Birney.  From 
that  time  nothing  worthy  of  note  occurred  in  the  battery  during 
the  forward  movement  of  the  army  until  June  16th,  when  the 
battery  was  ordered  into  position  with  the  corps,  covering  the 
crossing  of  the  James  by  the  army.  On  the  18th  the  battery 
went  into  position  before  Petersburg  and  at  once  remodeled  an 
old  rifle  pit  of  the  enemy,  in  their  outer  line  of  works,  making 
it  appropriate  for  artillery,  and  opened  on  the  enemy,  expend- 
ing eight  shot  and  24  spherical  case,  with  the  loss  of  one  man 
wounded  (a). 

By  direction  of  Colonel  Tompkins  one  section  of  the  bat- 
tery  was  withdrawn  that  night  and  ordered  to  report  to  General 
Wheaton,  who  directed  it  to  take  position  some  800  or  900 
yards  to  the  front,  on  the  right  of  the  road  leading  up  the  Appo- 
mattox to  a point  nearer  Petersburg.  Nearly  the  same  opera- 
tions were  repeated  here  as  at  Cold  Harbor.  The  guns  were 
unlimbered  and  run  into  position  by  hand,  ammunition  chests 
dismounted  and  sunk  into  trenches,  and  the  horses  and  limbers 
wei'e  sent  to  the  rear. 

''In  the  early  part  of  the  night  Lieutenant  Charles  O.  Hunt, 
whose  section  was  to  take  this  advanced  position,  went  out  in 
advance  to  acquaint  himself  with  the  location.  Owing  to  a 
wrong  direction  given  him  by  General  Wheaton,  and  to  the  fact 
that  there  was  a gap  in  our  picket  line  at  this  point,  he  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.  He  remained  a prisoner  until  Febru- 
ary 22,  1865,  when  he  was  paroled,  and  was  finally  exchanged 
and  rejoined  the  battery  in  the  field  on  April  13,  1865”  (b). 

On  the  29th  day  of  June  the  battery  with  the  Sixth  corps 
marched  to  Beams  Station,  south  of  Petersburg,  ordered  there 
to  reinforce  General  James  II.  Wilson,  who  was  returning  to 
the  army  of  the  Potomac  from  his  cavalry  raid  against  the 
South  Side  and  Danville  railroads  ; but  we  were  too  late  to 
render  him  assistance. 

On  the  6th  day  of  July  the  battery  returned  to  Petersburg 

(a)  Private  John  Worster,  Belgrade.  Only  man  wounded  in  the  battery  during 
this  campaign  under  Grant. 

(h)  Statement  of  Lieutenant  Hunt. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


115 


and  reported  to  General  Getty,  commanding  the  Second  division, 
Sixth  corps,  and  went  into  position  near  the  left  of  our  line, 
which  was  thrown  back  facing  in  a direction  nearly  opposite 
to  that  of  Petersburg,  and  commenced  work  on  an  unfinished 
redoubt.  On  the  night  of  the  9th  marched  to  City  Point.  On 
the  evening  of  the  10th  embarked  the  cannoneers  and  guns  on 
the  steamer  Jefferson  and  the  drivers  and  horses  on  another 
transport,  under  orders  to  sail  for  the  city  of  Washington  and 
rejoin  the  corps,  — the  city  being  threatened  by  the  rebel  army 
under  Early. 

The  battery  arrived  in  Washington  and  reported  at  artillery 
headquarters  of  the  corps  at  Crystal  Spring,  at  two  o’clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  13th,  and  immediately  went  into  position. 
The  enemy  had  pushed  up  around  Fort  Stevens,  and  had  been 
driven  back  by  Getty’s  division  of  the  Sixth  corps,  temporarily 
under  command  of  General  Wheaton.  After  the  arrival  of  the 
Fifth  battery  the  remainder  of  the  night,  or  rather  the  morning 
of  the  13th,  was  occupied  in  strengthening  our  position,  burying 
the  dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded.  At  daylight  on  the  13th 
it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  were  moving  from  our  front 
in  the  direction  of  Rockville,  Md. 

Then  commenced  a new  campaign  which  culminated  in  Sher- 
idan’s crowning  victories  in  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah.  For 
the  next  two  months  the  battery  participated  in  the  general 
movements  and  operations  of  the  corps  ; marching  to  Snicker’s 
Gap  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  by  way  of  Poolesville,  White’s 
Ford  and  Leesburg,  and  returning  to  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  by 
way  of  Leesburg  and  the  Chain  Bridge  across  the  Potomac. 

F rom  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  the  battery  with  the  corps  pro- 
ceeded to  Harper’s  Ferry  by  way  of  the  Monocacy  and  Fred- 
erick City,  thus  taking  an  active  part  in  the  defensive  campaign 
for  the  protection  of  Baltimore  and  Washington.  On  August 
5th  General  Grant  directed  a concentration  of  the  forces  of 
Generals  Wright,  Emory  and  Crook  in  the  vicinity  of  Harper’s 
Ferry  without  delay,  with  orders  that  if  the  enemy  moved  north 
of  the  Potomac  to  follow  him  and  attack  him  wherever  he  went. 
On  the  6th  Sheridan  crossed  the  Potomac  and  entered  his  new 
field  of  operations,  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 


116 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


On  the  21st  the  battery  entrenched  on  the  Berry ville  pike 
near  Charlestown,  W.  Va.,  and  that  night  fell  back  to  Hall- 
town,  within  four  miles  of  Harper’s  Ferry,  and  again  entrenched, 
the  corps  being  largely  outnumbered  by  the  enemy.  But  Sher- 
idan soon  assembled  a powerful  army,  afterwards  known  as 
the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah.  It  embraced  the  Sixth  corps, 
13,344,  infantry  and  artillery,  under  General  Wright : the 
Nineteenth  corps,  13,025,  under  General  Emory;  the  Eighth 
corps  (a) , 7,507,  under  General  Crook  ; and  the  cavalry,  with  its 
accompanying  artillery,  6,818,  under  General  Torbert,  making 
the  sum  total  of  40,694  troops  south  of  the  Potomac  by  Sep- 
tember 10th,  1864.  The  above  number  does  not  include  4,815 
troops  included  in  the  district  of  Harper’s  Ferry,  which  were 
also  south  of  the  Potomac.  This  was  the  most  effective  Union 
force  ever  assembled  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  From  the 
twenty-first  day  of  August  to  the  eighteenth  day  of  September 
nothing  unusual  occurred,  the  battery  making  the  usual  marches 
and  counter-marches  with  the  corps  incidental  to  a campaign. 

On  the  evening  of  the  18th  orders  were  received  to  be  ready 
to  march  at  two  o’clock  the  next  morning,  the  19th.  The  bat- 
tery was  in  harness  at  the  appointed  time  and  soon  after  moved 
with  the  artillery  brigade,  Sixth  corps,  from  a point  near  Clifton 
to  Opequan  Creek,  a distance  of  some  five  or  six  miles,  beyond 
which,  and  within  about  three  miles  of  Winchester,  the  enemy 
were  encountered  in  force.  The  Union  line  of  battle,  facing 
to  the  west,  was  formed  from  left  to  right  in  the  following 
order : Wilson’s  division  of  cavalry ; Sixth  corps,  General 
Wright ; Nineteenth  corps,  General  Emory ; Merritt’s  and 
Averell’s  divisions  of  cavalry.  General  Crook’s  command  was 
held  in  reserve  at  the  Opequon  until  a later  hour  in  the  day. 
The  batteries  of  the  Sixth  corps  were  ordered  into  position  on 
the  corps  front  by  Colonel  C.  H.  Tompkins,  chief  of  artillery. 
The  formation  was  effected  under  an  annoying  fire  of  the  enemy. 
Notwithstanding  the  early  hour  in  which  the  army  moved,  it  was 
not  in  line  of  battle  ready  to  advance  until  past  eleven  o’clock 
in  the  forenoon.  In  the  attack  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth  corps 

(a)  Crook’s  command — two  divisions — was  more  strictly  designated:  “Army  of 
West  Virginia,  ” by  Sheridan,  and  in  the  official  reports.  See  Rebellion  Records,  Vol. 
43,  part  1,  pp.  40,  403. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


117 


advanced  in  fine  order  and  in  great  spirit,  driving  for  the  time 
everything  before  them.  After  an  advance  of  several  hundred 
yards  of  both  infantry  and  artillery  a most  determined  charge 
of  the  enemy  was  made  on  the  left  of  the  Nineteenth  corps, 
crowding  it  back  and  turning  the  flank  of  the  Third  division  of 
the  Sixth  corps  (Ricketts’)  and  threatened  a disaster.  "The 
moment  was  a fearful  one.  Such  a sight  rarely  occurs  more 
than  once  in  any  battle  as  was  presented  in  the  open  space 
between  two  pieces  of  woodland  into  which  the  cheering  enemy 
poured.  The  whole  rebel  line,  reckless  of  bullets,  even  of  the 
shells  of  our  batteries,  constantly  advanced.” 

General  Getty,  commanding  the  Second  division  of  the 
Sixth  corps,  in  his  official  report  said : " The  success  of  the 
enemy,  however,  was  but  momentary.  He  was  promptly  met, 
held  in  check,  and  finally  repulsed  by  several  batteries,  promi- 
nent among  which  was  Stevens’ (Maine)  battery  of  light  twelve- 
pounders,  of  the  corps,  and  troops  of  the  First  division”  (a). 

"When  the  Nineteenth  army  corps  was  repulsed,”  said  Col. 
C.  H.  Tompkins,  "and  the  enemy  had  passed  the  right  flank  of 
the  1st  N.  Y.  [battery]  I ordered  it  withdrawn  to  the  ridge 
about  100  yards  in  rear  and  on  the  left  of  the  Fifth  Maine. 

" To  the  front  and  right  of  this  position  the  enemy  was 
checked,  the  Fifth  Maine  enfiladed  his  line  with  canister,  and 
finally  was  driven  to  the  cover  of  the  woods.”  * * * 

"I  cannot  speak,”  he  says,  "in  too  high  terms  of  the  con- 
duct of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  command.  Particular  men- 
tion should  be  made  of  Capt.  G.  T.  Stevens,  commanding  the 
Fifth  Maine  battery,  and  First  Lieut.  W.  H.  Johnson,  com- 
manding 1st  N.  Y.  Independent  battery,  for  the  gallant  man- 
ner in  which  they  handled  their  batteries  when  charged  by 
the  enemy,  at  which  time  Lieutenant  Johnson  was  seriously 
wounded”  (b).  * * * 

Colonel  Tompkins  further  said  in  the  same  report : " To 

the  following  named  officers  of  my  staff  I am  expressly 
indebted  for  valuable  assistance,  and  would  respectfully  recom- 
mend them  to  the  major-general  commanding  for  promotion 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  l,  page  192. 

'Ll  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  pages  271,  272. 


118 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  both  engagements : 
First  Lieut.  E.  X.  Whittier,  acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General, 
Fifth  Maine  battery ; First  Lieut.  J.  K.  Buddy n,  acting  aide- 
de-camp,  1st  R.  I.  Light  Artillery.” 

General  Wright,  commanding  the  corps,  gave  the  following 
concise  account  of  the  enemy’s  repulse  : " The  First  division 

[Russell’s]  moved  admirably  on  the  enemy,  and  the  batteries 
with  canister  opened  upon  them  with  murderous  effect,  the 
two  driving  them  back  in  much  disorder.  This  was  the  turning 
point  in  the  conflict”  (a). 

The  Fifth  Maine  and  the  1st  N.  Y.  Independent  were  the 
only  batteries  having  a fire  on  that  part  of  the  line.  Lieutenant 
Johnson  was  mortally  wounded  and  soon  died.  General  Rus- 
sell in  the  hour  of  triumph  was  instantly  killed,  a piece  of  shell 
penetrating  his  chest  in  the  region  of  his  heart.  "His  death,” 
said  Sheridan,  "brought  sadness  to  every  heart  in  the  army.” 
Among  other  losses,  that  charge  and  temporary  advantage  cost 
the  enemy  the  loss  of  Major-General  Robert  E.  Rodes,  one  of 
their  most  experienced  and  skillful  division  commanders. 

It  was  now  long  past  noon,  and  the  broken  portion  of 
Ricketts’  line  was  quickly  reformed  in  rear  of  Russell’s  division, 
now  under  Upton.  Dwight’s  division  of  the  Nineteenth  corps 
took  the  place  of  Grover’s.  The  latter,  however,  was  promptly 
rallied  and  brought  up  ; and  the  Eighth  corps,  which  had  been 
held  in  reserve  down  by  the  Opequan,  was  ordered  to  move 
rapidly  to  the  front,  and  was  placed  in  line  on  the  right  of  the 
Nineteenth  corps.  Sheridan  was  now  prepared  for  his  culmi- 
nating effort.  Our  whole  line  was  then  advanced,  and  the 
enemy  driven  at  every  point  and  pushed  steadily  back,  con- 
testing every  foot  until  five  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  when,  to 
use  the  language  of  Sheridan,  "We  sent  them  whirling  through 
Winchester,”  and  the  victory  was  complete. 

General  Wheaton,  commanding  the  First  brigade,  Second 
division,  Sixth  corps,  described  the  closing  scene  of  the  engage- 
ment as  follows:  "With  little  difficulty  we  advanced  to  the 
brick  house  on  the  north  side  of  the  pike  and  at  the  foot  of  the 
slope  east  of  Winchester.  A severe  artillery  fire  was  here 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  page  150. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


119 


encountered  and  here  some  of  the  enemy’s  infantry  seemed 
inclined  to  delay  for  a short  time  our  advance.  Sending  to 
General  Getty  for  a battery  to  confront  the  one  that  was  giving 
us  so  destructive  a fire,  I soon  had  Captain  Stevens’  Fifth 
Maine  battery  trotting  up  to  our  support.  From  the  moment 
it  opened,  our  forward  movement  was  without  opposition,  and 
the  enemy  could  be  seen  in  the  distance  running,  routed,  to  the 
rear  in  the  direction  of  the  Winchester  and  Strasburg  pike. 
Our  men  were  wild  with  delight  at  this  evidence  of  their  glori- 
ous  success,  and  could  hardly  be  restrained  and  kept  in  the 
ranks”  (a). 

In  the  engagement  the  battery  did  its  full  share  of  the  work. 
It  expended  283  solid  shot,  220  spherical  case,  66  shell,  and 
39  canister,  total  608  rounds  ; or  in  other  words  it  burned 
1,520  pounds  of  powder  and  hurled  7,296  pounds  of  iron  into 
the  enemy’s  ranks  with  the  loss  of  only  six  men  wounded  (b) . 
The  ground  on  which  the  battle  was  fought  was,  for  the  most 
part,  rolling,  and  every  advantage  was  taken  of  the  same  to 
save  our  men  and  punish  the  enemy.  The  Union  losses  were 
697  killed,  3,983  wounded,  338  missing;  total  5,018. 

The  enemy  reported  their  total  loss  to  be  3,611  not  includ- 
ing their  cavalry,  which  is  not  given.  Among  the  trophies 
captured  were  five  pieces  of  artillery,  nine  battle  flags,  a num- 
ber of  caissons  and  4,000  stand  of  small  arms  (c). 

On  September  20th  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  Sheri- 
dan’s victorious  army  moved  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy.  The  cavalry  preceded  the  infantry  and 
artillery  on  the  march.  The  valley  to  the  north  of  the  Stras- 
burg is  at  least  twenty  miles  in  width.  There  it  narrows  up 
to  four  miles,  being  intersected  by  other  mountains ; and  at 
Fisher’s  Hill,  two  miles  further  south,  it  is  still  more  narrow. 
To  the  latter  point,  eighteen  miles  from  Winchester,  Early  had 
hastily  fallen  back.  In  that  position,  with  mountains  on  his 
right  and  left,  he  felt  himself  secure. 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  page  198. 

(b)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  page  273;  Maine  Adjutant-General’s 
Report,  1864,  page  238.  Two  of  the  wounded  were  Michael  Bradley,  of  Portland,  and 
Henry  Turner,  of  Rome. 

(c)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  page  25. 


120 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  twenty-first  was  spent  in  driving  the  enemy’s  skir- 
mishers through  Strasburg  back  upon  their  defenses  at  Fisher’s 
Hill,  and  in  securing  a commanding  lodgment  on  the  ridge  to 
the  north  of  Tumbling  Run  in  front  of  the  enemy’s  main  posi- 
tion. Their  right  was  found  to  be  impregnable  and  Sheridan 
concluded  to  repeat  the  tactics  of  the  Opequan  and  turn  the 
enemy’s  left,  which  was  admirably  accomplished.  The  Fifth 
battery  was  in  line,  but  there  being  no  position  near  where  the 
Napoleon  gun,  with  which  the  Fifth  was  armed,  could  be 
effectively  used,  none  of  those  guns  belonging  to  the  Sixth 
corps  were  engaged.  Following  up  the  success  of  the  infantry 
the  Fifth  battery  took  from  the  field  three  iron  12-pounder 
guns  of  the  enemy,  two  limbers,  four  horses,  four  sets  of  har- 
ness and  thirty  rounds  of  artillery  ammunition  (a). 

From  Fisher’s  Hill  Sheridan’s  army  moved  rapidly  up  the 
valley  in  pursuit  of  Early’s  shattered  forces.  The  battery 
went  as  far  up  as  Harrisonburg.  The  enemy  was  so  closely 
followed  and  hardly  pressed  that  a portion  of  them  left  the 
valley  and  took  to  the  mountains.  Early  could  not  be  induced 
to  offer  further  resistance. 

October  6th  our  army  commenced  to  retrace  its  steps,  and 
then  the  devastation  of  the  valley  commenced  in  earnest.  It 
was  no  pleasurable  duty.  The  battery  had  but  little  hand  in  it. 
That  task  was  assigned  to  the  cavalry.  It  however  was  a mil- 
itary necessity,  and  designed  to  prevent  the  subsistence  of  the 
Confederate  army  in  that  vicinity. 

The  Union  losses  at  Fisher’s  Hill  were  as  follows  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missing : Sixth  army  corps,  238  ; Nineteenth 
army  corps,  114;  army  of  West  Virginia,  162;  Cavalry,  14. 
Total,  528  (b). 

We  now  come  to  Cedar  Creek,  Sheridan’s  last  battle  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  and  the  last  battle  in  which  the  Fifth  Maine 
battery  was  engaged.  That  battle  was  a complete  surprise  to 
the  Union  army,  but  the  result  was  as  favorable  as  though 
the  whole  scheme  had  been  deliberately  planned  and  faithfully 
executed. 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  page  273. 

(b)  Rebellion  Records  Vol.  43,  Part  1,  page  124. 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


121 


On  the  eighteenth  day  of  October,  the  day  before  the  engage- 
ment, the  army  was  at  rest  and  encamped  near  Cedar  Creek, 
some  four  or  five  miles  north  of  the  battle-field  of  Fisher’s  Hill. 
The  troops  were  posted  facing  up  the  valley  in  a southerly 
direction.  General  Crook  was  on  the  left ; the  Nineteenth 
corps,  General  Emory,  in  the  centre ; and  the  Sixth  corps, 
General  Ricketts,  on  the  right.  The  front  lines  of  the  Eighth 
and  Nineteenth  corps  were  entrenched ; that  of  the  Sixth  corps 
was  not,  as  it  occupied  a naturally  strong  position. 

The  cavalry  was  upon  the  flanks  of  the  army,  and  the  Fifth 
battery  with  the  other  artillery  of  the  corps  was  in  park  near 
the  infantry.  General  Sheridan  being  absent,  General  Wright 
was  in  command.  The  enemy  having  been  largely  reinforced, 
again  turned  their  faces  towards  our  army  and  were  at  Fisher’s 
Hill,  but  in  what  force  was  not  known.  Both  armies  were  then 
on  the  westerly  side  of  the  north  branch  of  the  Shenandoah 
River.  The  day  had  been  warm  and  the  night  cool,  and  a heavy 
fog  hung  over  the  valley  on  the  morning  of  the  19th.  As  soon 
as  dark  on  the  night  of  the  18th  three  divisions  of  the  enemy 
left  their  encampment  at  Fisher’s  Hill,  crossed  the  river  and 
worked  their  way  down  opposite  the  left  flank  of  our  army, 
recrossed  the  river  which  was  fordable  at  that  season  of  the 
year,  and  made  their  attack  at  early  dawn  on  Thoburn’s  division 
of  Crook’s  command.  Those  of  the  division  that  were  not  killed 
or  captured  were  routed  and  fled  to  the  rear.  The  gallant  Tho- 
burn  was  killed.  Then  the  bugles’  shrill  notes,  the  rattle  of 
harnesses,  the  command  of  officers,  the  crash  of  musketry  com- 
ing still  nearer  in  that  chill  morning,  created  a pandemonium  not 
easily  described.  The  enemy  next  struck  Hayes’  division  of 
Crooks’  command,  which  shared  a similar  fate,  although  Hayes 
got  his  troops  in  line  and  made  a stubborn  resistance.  The  whole 
Sixth  corps  turned  out  at  once.  Tents  were  struck,  baggage 
loaded,  and  teams  directed  to  the  rear.  The  left  of  the  Nineteenth 
corps  was  turned  and  the  enemy  were  sweeping  down  in  rear  of 
their  entrenchments,  rendering  them  useless,  and  carrying  all 
before  them.  The  Fifth  battery  was  then  ordered  by  Colonel 
Tompkins  to  take  position  on  a knoll  to  the  left  and  engage  the 
enemy  that  were  approaching  from  that-  direction.  The  battery 
had  no  supports.  A stone-wall,  however,  in  tumble-down  con- 


122 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


dition  was  about  50  yards  in  front  of  the  battery,  in  rear  of 
which  a body  of  our  infantry  had  taken  position  and  was  then 
holding  it.  The  battery  at  once  opened  on  the  enemy  that  were 
coming  down  over  the  hill  just  across  a ravine.  The  fog  had 
now  partially  cleared  away.  Soon  our  infantry  in  rear  of  the 
wall  withdrew  from  the  position  and  passing  along  the  hillside 
to  the  right  of  the  battery  went  to  the  rear. 

The  battery  held  that  position  until  charged  by  the  enemy. 
In  that  charge  two  guns  which  had  recently  been  received  from 
battery  A,  1st  Mass.,  manned  by  men  from  that  battery  and 
temporarily  assigned  to  the  Fifth  Maine  battery,  fell  for  the  time 
being  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  the  horses  being  shot  and 
tangled  up  in  harness  in  the  attempt  to  limber  to  the  rear.  The 
other  guns  with  difficulty  succeeded  in  reaching  our  line  then 
forming  to  the  right  and  some  distance  back  in  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  some  of  the  horses  falling  in  harness  while  on  the  way. 

In  retiring  from  that  position  the  Fifth  Maine  came  across 
one  gun  of  McKnight’s  battery  M,  5th  U.  S.,  that  was  left 
upon  the  field.  The  gun  was  secured  by  order  of  Captain  Stev- 
ens, attached  to  the  carriage  hook  of  a caisson,  moved  back  to 
our  line  in  the  edge  of  the  woods  and  turned  over  to  McKnight’s 
battery  by  direction  of  Colonel  Tompkins.  Other  guns  of 
McKnight’s  battery  had  been  recaptured  and  drawn  off  by  the 
infantry. 

The  army  fell  back  to  a ridge  of  land  about  a mile  north  of 
Middletown  and  some  four  miles  from  where  the  enemy  made 
their  attack  in  the  morning,  the  Sixth  corps  taking  position  and 
contesting  the  ground  on  the  way  back,  holding  the  enemy  in 
check  and  giving  the  troops  of  the  Eighth  and  Nineteenth  corps 
time  to  reorganize  and  re-form. 

At  that  point  Sheridan  came  up  and  took  command,  General 
Wright  resuming  command  of  the  Sixth  corps.  The  formation 
then  effected  was  similar  to  that  of  the  morning  except  the  Sixth 
and  Nineteenth  corps  had  changed  places  in  line.  All  of  the 
Eighth  corps  that  could  be  assembled  were  still  on  the  left. 
The  Fifth  battery  was  in  position  on  or  near  the  right  of  Getty’s 
division.  All  were  enthusiastic  at  Sheridan’s  arrival.  He  rode 
along  in  rear  of  the  line  from  left  to  right  encouraging  the  troops 


STEVENS’  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


123 


by  saying:  "We  will  whip  them  yet,”  "You  haven’t  begun  to 
fight,”  "We  will  camp  on  the  old  ground  to-night.”  Troops 
that  had  started  on  the  retreat  were  turned  back  and  put  into 
position,  and  stragglers  returned  to  the  line  of  battle  like  bees 
to  a hive,  not  waiting  to  find  their  own  command  but  going  into 
line  wherever  they  struck  it. 

The  enemy  made  one  or  two  persistent  attacks  upon  this 
position  but  were  repulsed  and  compelled  to  take  shelter,  the 
Fifth  battery  doing  at  least  its  share  of  the  work.  Everything 
having  been  prepared  and  the  men  refreshed  by  a bite  of  hard- 
tack and  a little  water, — the  only  refreshment  since  the  night 
before, — and  somewhat  rested  from  the  fight  and  fatigue  of  the 
morning,  an  advance  of  the  whole  line  was  then  ordered  by 
General  Sheridan. 

Colonel  Tompkins  riding  up  to  the  battery  said  to  Captain 
Stevens  : " Now  we  are  going  to  attack  and,  if  we  drive  them,  I 
want  you  to  follow  and  push  them  as  hard  as  you  can.”  He 
appeared  satisfied  to  have  the  battery  fight  on  ground  of  its 
own  selection  and  in  its  own  way. 

The  advance  of  the  whole  army  was  made  between  three  and 
four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  Fifth  battery  with  the  other 
artillery  opened  at  once  and  the  enemy  was  driven  at  every 
point  for  more  than  half  a mile,  until  near  Middletown.  There 
a part  of  Getty’s  division,  coming  under  a terrific  fire  of  infan- 
try and  artillery,  experienced  a temporary  check  and  was  com- 
pelled to  fall  back,  but  soon  rallied  and  returned  to  the  line. 
The  attack  was  then  renewed  with  great  spirit,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  the  Fifth  Maine  battery,  which  General  Getty 
had  requested,  and  one  gun  of  battery  C,  1st  R.  I.  light  art., 
under  Lieutenant  Lamb,  which  had  survived  the  storm  of  the 
morning,  the  enemy  was  driven  in  confusion  through  the  town  and 
over  the  plains  to  Cedar  Creek.  The  cavalry  was  then  hurled 
upon  the  routed  and  disorganized  enemy,  securing  many  of  the 
trophies  and  substantial  fruits  of  the  great  victory. 

At  Middletown  five  of  their  dead  were  found  in  one  spot, 
the  victims  of  a single  12-pounder  spherical  case  shot  fired  by 
the  Fifth  battery  (a) . General  Getty  in  his  official  report  of 

(a-!  Maine  A.-G.  Report  for  1864-5,  Vol.  1,  page  239. 


124 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  battle  said  : " During  the  advance  in  the  afternoon  Stev- 

ens’ Maine  battery  of  light  12-pounders  and  a section  of  Lamb’s 
battery  10-pounder  Parrots  * * * were  served  with  rapidity 
and  effect  ” (a). 

The  battery  in  that  engagement  sustained  a loss  of  twenty- 
eight  men,  including  the  attached  men,  as  follows  : 

KILLED. 

Privates:  John  H.  McKeen,  Patten;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Augusta. 

WOUNDED. 

Sergeants:  James  L.  Loomis,  Colebrook,  N.  H.;  Lemuel  A.  Cum- 
mings, Augusta. 

Corporal:  Hiram  M.  Paul,  Stewartstown,  N.  H. 

Privates:  Charles  E.  Brown,  Carratunk;  Seth  W.  Terrill,  Stewarts- 
town, N.  H.;  Henry  White,  Stratford,  N.  H.;  Amos  Baker,  Hartland; 
Arno  Little,  Mt.  Vernon;  Charles  F.  Merry,  Boothbay;  James  S.  Priest,  Vas- 
salboro;  Lucius  Smith,  Readfield;  Samuel  Stevens,  Augusta;  John  W. 
Waterhouse,  Gardiner. 

The  remainder  of  the  wounded  were  attached  men  whose 
names  do  not  appear  on  our  Maine  records. 

Among  other  things  too  numerous  to  mention,  Sheridan  and 
his  victorious  army  in  the  space  of  three  months  and  six  days 
, captured  from  the  enemy  94  pieces  of  artillery,  40  battle  flags, 
19,230  stand  of  small  arms  and  about  13,000  prisoners  (b). 

* 

ROSTER. 

commissioned  officers. 

Captain  George  F.  Leppien. — November  18,  1861,  mustered  into  U. 
S.  service;  February  27,  1863,  on  leave  of  absence  for  15  days;  March,  pres- 
ent for  duty;  May  3,  wounded  at  Chancellorsville;  May  18,  mustered  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; May  24,  died  from  wounds  in  Washington. 

First  Lieutenant  William  F.  Twitchell. — December  4,  1861,  mus- 
tered into  U.  S.  service;  June,  1862,  absent  sick;  June  21,  returned  from 
absent  sick;  July,  present  for  duty;  August  30,  killed  at  Second  Bull  Run. 

First  Lieutenant  Greenlief  T.  Stevens. — January  31,  1862,  mus- 
tered into  U.  S.  service;  July  27,  on  detached  service,  Special  Order  No.  35; 
September  9,  returned  from  detached  service;  October  20,  absent  sick; 
November,  present  for  duty;  May  3,  1863,  wounded  at  Chancellorsville; 
June  18,  promoted  Captain;  July  2,  wounded  at  Gettysburg;  August  27, 
present  for  duty;  December  31,  absent  with  leave;  February,  1864,  present 

(a)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  page  195. 

(b)  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  43,  part  1,  pages  37,  57. 


ROSTER  OF  FIFTH  MAINE  BATTERY. 


125 


for  duty;  January  17,  1865,  absent  with  leave  for  20  days;  February,  present 
for  duty,  and  appointed  Brevet-Major  U.  S.  V.,  to  rank  from  October  19, 
1864;  July  6,  1865,  mustered  out  of  the  U.  S.  service  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

Second  Lieutenant  Adelbert  B.  Twitchell. — December  4,  1861, 
mustered  into  U.  S.  service;  September  1,  1862,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant; 
March  30,  1863,  on  leave  of  absence;  April,  present  for  duty;  May  3, 
wounded  at  Chancellorsville;  August,  present  sick;  September  9,  absent 
sick;  December  u,  discharged,  commissioned  Captain  Seventh  Maine 
Battery. 

Second  Lieutenant  Ezra  Clark. — January  31,  1862,  mustered  into 
U.  S.  service;  February  13,  1863,  sick  in  hospital,  Georgetown;  March  24, 
on  recruiting  service;  February,  1S64,  present  for  duty;  December  16,  on 
detached  service,  Augusta,  Maine;  January  31,  1865,  mustered  out  U.  S. 
service,  term  expired. 

First  Sergeant  Edward  N.  Whittier. — September  1,  1862,  pro- 
moted 2nd  Lieutenant;  March  18,  1863,  on  leave  of  absence  15  days;  April, 
present  for  duty;  May  18,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant;  February  13,  1864,  on 
recruiting  service;  April  16,  on  detached  service  2nd  Brig.  Art.  Reserve; 
May  17,  on  special  duty  Brig.  Hd.  Qrs.  Sixth  corps;  December  16,  returned 
from  detached  service;  February,  1865,  appointed  Brevet-Captain  U.  S.  V., 
to  take  rank  from  October  19,  1864;  April  13,  1865,  on  detached  service 
art.  brig,  h’dqrs.  A.  of  S.;  July  6,  mustered  out  of  U.  S.  service  at  close 
of  the  war. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant  Charles  O.  Hunt. — May  18,  1863,  pro- 
moted 2d  Lieutenant;  July  1,  wounded  at  Gettysburg;  July  28,  absent  with 
leave;  September,  present  for  duty;  January  24,  1864,  absent  under  orders; 
February,  present  for  duty;  March  24,  promoted  1st  Lieutenant;  June  18, 
taken  prisoner;  April  13,  1865,  present  for  duty;  July  6,  mustered  out  with 
the  Battery. 

Sergeant  James  C.  Bartlett. — June  17,  1864,  promoted  2nd  Lieuten- 
ant; January  31,  1865,  on  detached  service  at  Alexandria,  Va.;  February  15, 
absent  with  leave  for  20  days;  March  8,  absent  sick;  Mays,  1865,  discharged 
for  disability. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant  George  W.  Woodbury. — March  30,  1865, 
promoted  2nd  Lieutenant;  July  6,  mustered  out  with  the  Battery. 

Sergeant  David  I.  Black. — June  1,  1865,  promoted  2nd  Lieutenant; 
July  6,  mustered  out  with  the  Battery. 


Note.  On  the  10th  of  January,  1865,  the  battery  proceeded  to  Fred- 
erick, Md.,  where  it  remained  encamped  until  the  4th  of  April,  when  it 
returned  to  Winchester.  April  6th  it  was  assigned  to  the  artillery  brigade, 
the  Nineteenth  corps  having  been  discontinued.  After  that  the  duties  were 
battery  and  brigade  drill.  On  June  21st  the  battery  was  ordered  to  Maine, 
where  it  was  mustered  out  and  discharged  from  the  United  States  service 
at  Augusta  on  the  6th  of  July,  having  served  three  years  and  seven  months. 


126 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MONUMENT 

OF 

THIRD  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

The  monument  stands  in  the  historic  “Peach  Orchard”  near  the 
Emmitsburg  road,  upon  a commanding  elevation  which  overlooks  the  undu- 
lating fields  and  woods  where  Longstreet’s  lines  advanced  on  the  afternoon 
of  July  2d.  It  is  cut  from  Maine  granite,  surmounted  by  a red  diamond 
block  highly  polished. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  five  feet  by  five  feet  by  one  foot  six  inches; 
plinth,  three  feet  six  inches  by  three  feet  six  inches  by  one  foot  six  inches; 
shaft,  two  feet  six  inches  by  two  feet  six  inches  by  eight  feet  one  inch;  cube, 
of  Red  Beach  granite,  two  feet  by  two  feet  two  inches  by  two  feet.  Total 
height,  thirteen  feet  one  inch.  The  following  are  the  inscriptions  upon  the  die. 

3rd 

Maine  Inf’ty. 

2nd  Brigade 
1st  Division 
3rd  Corps 

Strength  or  Regiment 
Morning  of  Judy  2nd. 

14  Officers  and  196  Men. 

DETACHED  FROM  THE 
BRIGADE,  FOUGHT  HERE 
IN  THE  AFTERNOON  OF 

July  2nd,  1863, 

HAVING  BEEN  ENGAGED 
IN  THE  FORENOON  AT 
POINT  IN  ADVANCE  AS 
INDICATED  BY  A MARKER. 


July  3rd 

IN  POSITION  ON  LEFT 
CENTRE  OF  LINE,  UNTIL 
AFTERNOON,  WHEN  WITH 
OTHER  REGIMENTS  OF  THE 
BRIGADE,  IT  MOVED  TO 
SUPPORT  OF  THE  CENTRE 
AT  TIME  OF  THE  ENEMY’S 
ASSAULT. 


1 Officer  and  17  Men 
Killed,  2 Officers  and 
57  Men  Wounded,  45  Men 
Missing. 


SMKWOFWUfNTK 

»mvn  wHis 

ASS4IKT. 


I OFFICER  4«  17  MED 
BUflUOTtBSW 
57  ««  kWM[H,45  »ai 
WSSIK, 


I sraacra  of  HcGiMENr 

MfWM  OF  JULY  25. 
14  OFFICERS  m I3S  MON 


THIRD  MAINE  REGIMENT, 

SECOND  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION,  THIRD  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


IN  the  battle  of  July  1st  the  three  Maine  organizations  in  the 
First  corps,  the  Sixteenth  regiment,  Colonel  Tilden,  ancl 
Hall’s  and  Stevens’  batteries,  were  the  only  Maine  troops 
engaged.  But  when  General  Sickles  with  part  of  his  command 
arrived  on  the  field  on  the  evening  of  July  1st,  after  the  first- 
day’s  battle,  he  brought  two  more  Maine  regiments,  the  Third 
and  Fourth,  of  Gen.  J.  H.  Hobart  Ward’s  brigade,  of  Gen. 
David  B.  Birney’s  division.  There  was  in  this  division  another 
Maine  regiment,  the  Seventeenth,  which  was  attached  to  Col. 
P.  Regis  de  Trobriand’s  brigade,  that  had  been  left  at  Emmits- 
burg  to  guard  the  pass  of  the  mountains,  so  the  Seventeenth  did 
not  arrive  until  the  forenoon  of  July  2d. 

The  Third  Maine,  as  it  marched  onto  the  field  of  Gettysburg 
on  the  evening  of  July  1st,  was  in  every  respect,  except  that  of 
numbers,  as  fine  a veteran  regiment  as  there  was  in  the  army 
of  the  Potomac.  Two  years  before  it  had  left  the  Kennebec 
Valley,  a thousand  strong,  under  its  Colonel,  Oliver  O.  Howard, 
who,  as  Major-General  commanding  the  Eleventh  corps  and  the 
field,  bore  a prominent  part-  in  the  first  day’s  battle.  During  the 
two  years  of  its  service  two  hundred  fresh  recruits  had  been 
sent  from  Maine,  yet  at  the  roll-call  on  the  morning  of  July  2d, 
only  a little  upwards  of  two  hundred  men  and  officers  answered, 
— a striking  testimonial  of  the  arduous  services  of  the  regiment 
in  the  campaigns  of  Virginia.  At  the  battle  of  Chancell orsville, 
a few  weeks  before,  its  loss  had  been  heavy.  The  regiment  was 
under  command  of  Colonel  Moses  B.  Lakeman. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  July  2d,  Colonel  Lakeman  formed 
his  regiment  in  line  of  battle  parallel  to  and  facing  the  Emrnits- 
buro-  road  and  on  the  riMit  of  the  brio-ade.  This  was  on  the 

O O O 


128 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


line  which  General  Sickles  was  establishing  with  th  Third  corps 
before  he  had  determined  to  advance  his  line  to  the  angle  of  the 
Peach  Orchard.  But  as  the  forenoon  advanced  Genertl  Ward 
ordered  Colonel  Lakeman  to  move  forward  as  support  to  one 
hundred  of  the  1st  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  under  Colonel  Berdan, 
who  were  to  cross  the  Emmitsburg  road  and  penetrate  the  woods 
beyond  with  the  intention  of  ascertaining  what  force  of  the 
enemy  might  be  there.  It  was  well  known  that  the  Confederate 
forces  had  been  arriving  during  the  night,  a fact  very  evident 
already  to  the  Fourth  Maine  which  had  been  on  picket  duty 
all  night  beyond  the  Emmitsburg  road. 

The  Third  Maine,  preceded  by  the  Sharpshooters,  advanced 
to  and  moved  southward  along  the  Emmitsburg  road  for  some 
distance,  then  left  it  and  advanced  toward  a dense  wood  on  the 
west  side.  In  approaching  this  wood,  believed  by  both  officers 
and  men  to  be  concealing  the  foe,  the  command  was  forced  to 
move  three-quarters  of  a mile  through  an  open  field.  But  they 
were  unmolested  as  they  made  this  movement,  so  trying  to  the 
soldier ; and  entering  the  wood,  formed  to  support  the  Sharp- 
shooters, who  were  advancing  as  skirmishers.  It  was  between 
11  and  12  o’clock  when  the  regiment  advanced  into  the  thick 
coverts  of  oak  and  chestnut. 

They  had  proceeded  about  fifteen  rods  when  they  espied  men 
in  butternut  gray  dodging  among  the  trees.  These  men  were 
from  Alabama, — the  8th,  10th  and  11th, — and  belonged  to  Wil- 
cox’s brigade  of  five  Alabama  regiments,  of  Anderson’s  division 
of  A.  P.  Hill’s  corps  (a) . With  the  skirmishers  of  these 
Confederates  the  Sharpshooters  were  already  engaged  when 
the  Third  Maine  came  up  in  support.  The  regiment  advanced 
on  the  double-quick,  and  drove  in  the  opposing  skirmishers. 
Then,  through  the  trees  and  the  smoke,  suddenly  loomed  three 
distinct  lines  of  the  enemy,  one  behind  another  in  close  column, 
and  stretching  a distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  in 
front  (b) . The  advance  of  this  overwhelming  force  the  Third 

(a)  Statement  of  Lieut.  Hannibal  A.  Johnson  (1889)  a First  Sergeant  that  day,  and 
wounded  and  captured  by  these  Alabamians  in  the  wood.  See  also  Wilcox’s  Report, 
Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  2,  page  617. 

(b)  Statement  of  Lieutenant  Johnson  (1889).  Colonel  Lakeman  states  that  the 
Third  had  little  protection,  as  the  Sharpshooters,  who  had  been  advancing  as  skir- 
mishers, had  secured  nearly  all  the  trees. 


THIRD  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


129 


Maine  met  with  an  audacity  and  firmness  in  keeping  with  its 
reputation  as  one  of  the  hardest  fighting  regiments  of  the  army 
of  the  Potomac.  "We  felt,”  one  of  the  survivors  of  that  day 
has  said,  " that  the  life  of  the  Nation  was  at  stake,  and  every 
man  in  the  ranks  was  conscious  of  personal  responsibility.” 
The  combatants  were  in  plain  sight  of  each  other,  probably  not 
over  three  hundred  yards  apart,  and  for  twenty-five  minutes, 
— the  Confederates  say  twenty  minutes, — this  unequal  contest 
was  maintained.  At  the  end  of  the  twenty-five  minutes  the 
bugle  sounded  the  retreat.  In  this  short  time  the  regiment 
sustained  a loss  of  forty-eight  men,  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing, over  thirty  of  whom  were  captured.  The  presence  of  the 
enemy  was  disclosed,  and  his  movement  to  attack  the  Union 
left  uncovered.  Leaving  its  dead  and  some  of  the  disabled 
wounded,  who  could  not  be  taken  on  account  of  the  rapidity 
and  force  of  the  Confederate  advance,  the  regiment  retired, 
followed  vigorously  by  the  yelling  foe,  upon  whom  the  auda- 
cious skirmishers  did  not  cease  to  keep  up  a constant  fire  as 
they  retired  (a) . 

The  marker  of  the  Third  Maine  Regiment  to  indicate  the  position  of  the 
regiment  during  this  action  near  the  noon  of  the  second  day  stands  in  the 
grove  west  of  the  Emmitsburg  road  on  the  west  slope  of  Pitzer’s  Run,  a trib- 
utary of  Willoughby  Run,  and  bears  the  following  inscription  on  its  face: 

3rd 
Maine 
Infantry 
engaged  here 

FORENOON  OF 

July  2nd 
1863. 

The  Confederates  ceased  their  fire  on  the  edge  of  the  woods, 
and  the  Third,  going  back  over  the  open  field  unmolested,  took 
position  in  the  Peach  Orchard,  where  it  was  to  be  stationed  in 
conformity  with  the  new  plan  of  battle  which  General  Sickles  was 
about  to  adopt.  For  General  Birney  had  no  sooner  communi- 
cated to  his  corps  commander  the  information  secured  by  the 

(a)  Fox,  the  author  of  “ Regimental  Losses  in  the  Civil  War,”  considers  worthy 
of  especial  note  “ the  tenacity  with  which  the  Third  Maine  held  that  skirmish  line 
at  Gettysburg.” 


130 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Third  Maine  and  the  Sharpshooters  than  he  was  ordered  to 
advance  his  division  of  three  brigades,  and  swing  to  the  left 
so  that  its  right  should  be  at  the  Peach  Orchard  while  its  left 
should  be  at  Devil’s  Den  (a) . Ward’s  brigade,  to  which  the 
Third  and  Fourth  Maine  belonged,  but  from  which  the  Third 
Maine  was  to  be  detached  during  this  battle,  was  on  the  left 
near  Devil’s  Den  ; in  the  centre  was  de  Trobriand’s,  among  whose 
soldiers  was  the  Seventeenth  Maine ; on  the  right  was  Gra- 
ham’s brigade  ; and  connecting  to  the  left  of  the  latter  it  was  to 
be  the  fortune  of  the  Third  Maine  to  fight  on  this  afternoon. 

After  returning  from  the  reconnaisance,  Colonel  Lakeman 
was  moving  his  regiment  to  join  its  brigade  when  he  received 
an  order  from  General  Birney  to  take  position  in  the  Peach 
Orchard.  There  to  the  left  of  Graham  the  regiment  went  into 
line  of  battle  without  any  greater  delay  than  was  necessary  for 
the  soldiers  to  take  a hasty  luncheon  from  their  haversacks. 
The  regiment  was  posted  behind  the  fence  that  bounded  the 
Peach  Orchard  on  the  southwest  side,  its  right  resting  along 
the  east  side  of  the  Emmitsburg  road. 

The  regiment  waited  in  line  until  about  4 o’clock  in  the 
afternoon  before  there  were  any  signs  of  an  attack  in  force  by 
the  enemy,  who,  with  an  unaccountable  sluggishness,  was  letting 
the  long  July  day  slip  away.  There  was  more  or  less  firing, 
however,  and  the  Third  Maine  being  midway  between  batteries 
of  the  two  armies  suffered  somewhat  from  exploding  shells. 
Several  times  during  the  afternoon  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  also 
advanced  on  the  position  of  the  Third.  At  one  time  the  regi- 
ment was  quite  hard  pressed  by  a force  of  them  coming  up  on 
the  front  and  right  flank.  These  however  were  repulsed,  and 
there  was  no  other  advance  for  a time.  But  as  Colonel  Lake- 
man  scanned  the  country  across  the  Emmitsburg  road  and  to 
the  westward,  he  soon  saw  the  glistening  bayonets  of  long  and 
continuous  columns  of  infantry  passing  towai’d  Round  Top  and 
the  Union  left,  where  the  battle  was  about  to  burst  with  fury 
at  Devil’s  Den  and  in  the  Wheatfield,  around  the  positions 
of  the  Fourth  and  the  Seventeenth  Maine  regiments.  Those 
marching  columns  were  of  Hood’s  division  of  Longstreet’s 

(a)  Report  of  Gen.  David  B.  Birney  (1863). 


THIRD  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


131 


corps ; and  behind  the  walls  and  fences  by  the  left  flank  of 
these  columns  were  Kershaw’s  and  Barksdale’s  brigades  of 
LaFayette  McLaws’  division  of  the  same  corps,  ready  to 
advance  upon  the  Peach  Orchard  and  the  defenses  near  it  so 
soon  as  Hood  should  develop  his  attack  farther  to  the  Union 
left  (a) . Colonel  Lakeman  at  once  sent  notice  of  his  discovery 
to  Captain  Randolph,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  Third  corps,  wdio 
sent  up  a battery.  This  battery  took  a position  near  the  regi- 
ment and  threw  shell  into  the  distant  Confederate  columns. 
These  shots  were  among  the  very  first  in  the  opening  of  the 
battle  of  the  second  day  (b) . The  columns  of  the  enemy  con- 
tinued their  movements  ; but  the  fire  of  the  battery  was  very 
annoying  to  them  and  caused  a detour  in  their  line  of  march  to 
avoid  discovery  of  their  plan. 

Soon  detachments  of  the  enemy  were  seen  advancing  towards 
the  Orchard  in  force  against  the  position  occupied  by  the  Third 
Maine.  Towards  the  front  of  the  regiment  came  the  left  wing 
of  Kershaw’s  South  Carolina  brigade  (c),  while  from  across  the 
Emmitsburg  road  the  Mississippi  regiments  of  the  fiery  Barks- 
dale were  soon  to  sweep  in  upon  the  rear  and  right  flank  of  the 
Third.  While  meeting  the  attack  of  Kershaw  in  his  front  Lake- 
man  learned  that  Barksdale  had  broken  through  Graham’s  line, 
which,  posted  on  the  Emmitsburg  road  to  the  right  of  the  Peach 
Orchard,  formed  the  extreme  right  of  Birney’s  division.  This 
disaster  left  the  rear  of  the  Third  Maine  exposed,  so  Colonel 
Lakeman  at  once  changed  the  line  of  his  regiment  to  face  the 
Emmitsburg  road.  This  angle  of  the  Peach  Orchard,  the  very 
apex  of  Sickles’  line,  was  at  this  instant  menaced  on  its  two 
sides  by  overwhelming  forces.  As  the  Third  Maine  turned 
from  Kershaw  to  meet  Barksdale  it  received  a withering  fire. 
The  color  company  (K)  was  just  forming  on  the  prolongation 
of  the  line,  when,  struck  by  an  enfilading  volley,  it  literally 
melted  away.  Every  man  of  the  color-guard  was  either  killed 
or  wounded.  In  a short  time,  measured  by  minutes,  a third  at 
least  of  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  left  from  the  morning’s 

(a)  Report  of  Gen.  J.  B.  Kershaw,  1863. 

(b)  Statement  of  Colonel  Lakeman,  1889.  The  battery  would  appear  to  be  Ames’ 
battery  G,  1st  N.  Y.,  subsequently  relieved  by  battery  I,  5th  U.  S. 

(c)  Eighth  South  Carolina  and  James’  South  Carolina  battalion. 


132 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


fight  were  killed  or  wounded  ; and  the  regiment,  "wrapped  in 
a vortex  of  fire,”  as  the  Comte  de  Paris  has  said,  was  hurled 
out  of  the  Orchard  by  overwhelming  numbers  (a) . 

To  Graham’s  brigade,  which  was  nearest  on  Birney’s  line, 
the  remnant  of  the  Third  Maine  gravitated ; but  as  evening 
came  on  the  entire  line  which  Sickles  had  established  gave 
ground.  In  the  general  movement  the  Third  Maine  retired 
behind  the  second  Union  line  that  Hancock  had  established 
and  which  checked  the  Confederate  onsets.  That  night  the 
regiment  rejoined  Ward’s  brigade,  which  had  retired  from  the 
ridge  of  Devil’s  Den.  The  official  report  of  General  Ward 
(1863)  calls  particular  attention  to  the  gallantry  of  Colonel 
Lakeman  and  his  regiment  on  this  day. 

Of  the  fourteen  officers  and  one  hundred  and  ninety-six 
men  who  entered  the  battle  in  the  morning  only  ninety-seven 
reported  at  night.  One-half  of  the  others  were  lying  on  the 
field,  dead  or  wounded.  The  survivors  slept  upon  their  arms 
that  night.  After  noon  the  next  day  they  were  sent  to  sup- 
port the  Second  division  of  the  Second  corps ; but  the  attack 
had  been  repulsed  before  their  arrival.  On  July  4th  the  Third 
was  on  skirmish  duty,  but  sustained  no  losses. 

A MARKER 

to  designate  the  position  of  the  Third  Maine  when  in  support  of  the  Second 
corps,  afternoon  of  July  3d,  at  the  close  of  the  enemy’s  assault,  stands  upon 
the  east  side  of  Hancock  Avenue  in  a northeasterly  direction  from  “High 
Water  Mark”  monument.  It  is  cut  from  Maine  granite,  adorned  with  a 
red  granite  diamond,  and  has  the  following  inscriptions: 

3rd  Maine  Regiment 
Colonel  M.  B.  Lakeman 
In  Support 
July  3rd  1863. 

Engaged  July  2nd 
In  Peach  Orchard. 


OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  COL.  MOSES  B.  LAKEMAN. 

Near  Warrenton,  Va.,  July  27,  1863. 
Captain:  — I have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  part 
taken  by  my  regiment  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  on  the  2d  instant: — 
By  order,  I formed  my  regiment  in  line  of  battle  parallel  to  and  facing 

(a)  The  regiment  of  Barksdale’s  brigade  advancing  nearest  the  Third  Maine  at 
the  time  was  probably  the  2lst  Mississippi. 


THIRD  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


133 


the  Emmitsburg  road,  on  the  right  of  the  brigade,  at  early  morn.  Soon 
after,  by  order  of  General  Ward,  T moved  my  regiment  as  a support  for  a 
body  of  sharp-shooters,  under  command  of  Colonel  Berdan,  to  whom  I was 
ordered  to  report,  by  Captain  Briscoe  of  General  Birney’s  staff.  Advancing 
to  and  for  some  distance  on  the  Emmitsburg  road,  I approached  a dense 
wood  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  and  on  entering  it  formed  my  regiment 
(as  ordered)  to  support  the  advancing  line  of  skirmishers,  and  followed  at 
supporting  distance.  They  soon,  however,  became  hotly  engaged,  * * * 
and  I advanced  double-quick  to  the  line  they  occupied,  and  instantly  formed 
my  regiment  under  a heavy  fire  from  the  enemy,  which  we  returned  with  a 
good  will.  Here  I labored  under  a decided  disadvantage,  which  will 
account  for  my  heavy  loss.  The  skirmishers  were  well  secured  behind 
trees,  while  my  battalion  filled  the  intervals.  The  enemy  showed  himself 
in  overwhelming  force,  but  so  well  did  we  hold  our  position  that  his  advance 
was  much  checked  and  very  disastrous,  and  not  until  ordered  * * * to 
fall  back  did  a single  man  leave  the  ranks,  with  the  exception  of  those 
slightly  wounded,  when  I retired,  giving  an  occasional  volley  to  check  his 
advance,  which  now  became  quicker. 

I was  obliged  to  leave  my  dead  and  seriously  wounded  on  the  field,  and 
on  arriving  at  the  road  formed  my  regiment,  which  had  gotten  somewhat 
confused  from  loss  of  men  and  obstructions  in  our  retreat. 

This  engagement  was  short  but  very  severe,  and  serves  to  give  me  a 
renewal  of  confidence  in  the  men  I command.  I sustained  a loss  of  forty- 
eight  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 

While  on  the  move  to  join  my  brigade,  I received  an  order  from  General 
Birney  to  take  position  in  a peach  orchard  on  the  right  of  my  previous  one, 
and  accordingly  moved  my  regiment  there  and  occupied  it.  Here  I was 
enabled  several  times  during  the  day  to  repulse  the  enemy’s  skirmishers 
(who  seemed  very  anxious  to  drive  us  from  it)  and  also  to  seriously  harass 
the  left  flank  of  their  advancing  columns  to  the  position  which  the  other 
regiments  of  the  brigade  were  holding,  changing  my  front  as  circumstances 
required.  In  this  position  my  regiment  lay  about  midway  between  our  own 
and  the  enemy’s  batteries,  and  a few  of  my  command  were  more  or  less 
seriously  injured  from  the  frequent  explosion  of  shells  immediately  over  us. 

I was  heavily  pressed  in  front  and  on  my  right  flank  about  4 p.  m.,  but 
succeeded  in  repulsing,  with  considerable  loss,  the  force,  which  was  much 
greater  than  mine,  and  sent  them  flying  back  to  their  covers.  An  hour 
later  they  came  forward  again  with  a force  much  greater  than  before,  but  I 
engaged  them  and  held  them  for  some  fifteen  minutes,  when  I received  a 
severe  flank  fire  on  my  left.  I then  saw  a large  force  marching  round  to 
cut  me  off,  and  ordered  my  regiment  to  retire,  and  while  doing  so  we 
received  a most  distressing  fire,  which  threw  my  command  into  much  con- 
fusion, and  mixing  them  up  with  a portion  of  the  First  brigade,  which  was 
also  falling  back. 

I regret  to  report  the  loss  of  my  national  colors,  or  no  men  fought 
harder  under  it  that  day  than  did  my  regiment,  but  Captain  Keene  of  the 
color  company  and  his  1st — and  only — lieutenant,  Henry  Penniman,  fell, 
the  former  pierced  by  four  bullets,  the  latter  severely  wounded  in  the  leg. 
The  color-bearer  fell,  wounded;  two  of  the  guard  were  killed  and  four 


134 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


others  seriously  wounded;  and,  as  darkness  was  fast  approaching,  I did  not 
miss  it  till  the  following  morning.  If  I had,  they  would  have  had  me  and 
my  little  squad  or  I would  have  had  my  flag. 

As  soon  as  I could  rally  the  remainder  of  my  shattered  regiment,  I 
joined  the  brigade,  and  the  men  lay  on  their  arms  during  the  night. 

I am  proud  to  say  the  conduct  of  my  officers  and  men  throughout  the 
entire  day  is  deserving  the  highest  praise.  Their  coolness  and  courage  in 
resisting  a force  which  they  could  plainly  see  was  four  times  their  number  I 
cannot  pass  over  lightly,  but  feel  somewhat  recompensed  for  my  loss  by 
the  knowledge  that  the  few  I have  left  are  of  the  same  material  as  the  gal- 
lant spirits  that  have  fallen. 

I entered  the  engagement  of  the  morning  with  14  officers  and  196  rifles, 
and  lost  during  the  day  113  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  including  Major 
Lee  wounded,  Captain  Keene  killed,  etc.,  a list  of  which  has  already  been 
sent  to  headquarters. 

I have  the  honor  to  be,  captain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Moses  B.  Lakeman, 

Colonel , Commanding  Third  Maine  Regiment. 

Capt.  John  M.  Cooney, 

Asst.  Adjt.-Gen.,  Second  Brig.,  First  Div.,  Third  Corps. 

— Rebellion  Records,  Series  I,  Vol.  xxvii,  p.  507. 

Headquarters  Third  Maine  Regiment,  July  27,  1863. 

Colonel:  — I herewith  respectfully  report  the  movements  of  my  regi- 
ment under  your  command  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  on  the  3d,  4th  and 
5th  instants. 

On  or  about  noon  of  the  3d  instant,  I was,  by  order  of  General  Ward, 
sent  as  support  to  the  Second  division  of  the  Second  corps,  which  was  being 
heavily  pressed  by  the  enemy,  but  who  had  succeeded  in  repulsing  them 
before  my  arrival.  I reported  to  General  Webb,  and  placed  my  regiment, 
as  ordered  by  him,  in  support  of  a battery  in  our  front,  but  our  services 
were  not  required  throughout  the  afternoon  or  night. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  instant,  I,  with  the  Fourth  Maine,  99th 
Penn,  and  20th  Indiana  regiments,  advanced  to  the  front,  sending  forward 
the  skirmishers  of  the  Second  corps,  and  taking  position  on  the  Emmits- 
burg  road,  previously  the  skirmish  line,  relieved  the  skirmishers  in  my 
front,  thereby  being  supported  by,  instead  of  supporting,  the  Second  corps. 
Quite  brisk  skirmishing  took  place  during  the  day,  but  without  loss,  I am 
happy  to  state,  to  my  regiment. 

I remained  on  this  line  until  about  12  M.  on  the  5th,  when  I retired  to 
the  position  occupied  the  previous  morning,  leaving  my  skirmishers  still 
to  the  front,  when,  finding  the  enemy  had  gone,  my  skirmishers  were 
relieved,  and  I,  with  the  other  regiments,  joined  the  brigade. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

Moses  B.  Lakeman, 

Colonel,  Commanding  Third  Maine  Regiment. 

P.  S.  Permit  me  to  add  that  the  conduct  of  my  officers  and  men 
throughout  the  whole  of  the  trying  engagement  was  admirable  in  the 
extreme,  and  they  are  highly  deserving  of  special  mention. 


THIRD  REGEMENT  ITINERARY. 


135 


ITINERARY. 

The  following  itinerary  of  the  Third  regiment  during  the 
Gettysburg  campaign  is  taken  from  the  diary  of  Col.  Moses  B. 
Lakeman,  commanding  the  regiment : 

Thursday,  June  ii,  1863.  Fair.  Relieved  from  picket;  arrived  in  camp 
at  1 o’clock  p.  m.  ; started  on  march  at  2 p.  m.  — Rappahannock  Station. 
Marched  about  ten  miles,  bivouacked  for  night  at  11  o’clock  p.  M. 

June  12th.  Fair.  Started  on  march  at  9 o’clock  A.  M. ; marched  about 
twelve  miles;  arrived  at  bivouac  one  mile  from  Bealeton  at  5.30  p.  m. 

June  13th.  Fair.  Moved  bivouac  one  and  a half  miles  to  Bealeton. 
Division  officer  of  day. 

June  14th.  Fair.  Struck  bivouac  at  4.30  p.  m.  ; arrived  near  Catlett’s 
Station,  eight  miles,  at  10  o’clock. 

June  15th.  Fair.  Started  at  5 o’clock  a.  m.  on  march;  arrived  near 
Centreville  at  6 o’clock  p.  m.;  distance  marched  ten  miles;  very  warm  and 
dusty. 

June  16th.  Fair.  Started  at  5.30  o’clock  a.  m.,  and  marched  about 
three  miles  to  rifle  pits. 

June  17th.  Fair.  Started  at  3.30  o’clock  p.  M.,  and  marched  about 
three  miles  in  rear  of  Centreville. 

June  18th.  Rain.  Remained  in  bivouac.  Smart  rain  in  afternoon  and 
evening.  Lt.-Col.  Burt  left  on  fifteen  days’  sick  leave. 

June  19th.  Rain.  Started  at  3 o’clock  p.  M.;  marched  to  Gum  Spring; 
distance  marched  ten  miles;  a very  severe  march  on  account  of  rain,  mud 
and  darkness;  arrived  at  10.30  p.  M. 

June  20th.  Rainy.  Remained  in  bivouac.  Lts.  Day,  Anderson,  Gil- 
man and  Blake  missing,  supposed  to  be  captured  by  guerillas. 

June  21st.  Rainy.  Remained  in  bivouac  until  3.30  o’clock  p.  M.,  when 
we  changed  position  to  front.  Heavy  firing  in  direction  of  Aldie. 

June  22d.  Fair.  Remained  in  bivouac  until  5 p.  M.  Part  of  regiment 
went  on  picket,  rest  moved  to  rear  on  reserve.  Sat  on  court  martial  on 
case  of  Major  D of N.  Y.  Vols.  at  Col.  Berdan’s  headquarters. 

June  23d.  Fair.  Remained  in  bivouac. 

June  24th.  Fair.  Remained  in  bivouac. 

June  25th.  Rainy.  Regiment  relieved  from  picket;  struck  bivouac  at 
6 o’clock  a.  m.,  and  marched  to  Monocacy,  where  we  arrived  at  10  p.  m.  ; 
distance  marched  about  twenty-four  miles. 

June  26th.  Rainy.  Started  at  6 o’clock  A.  M.;  marched  to  near  Point 
of  Rocks;  distance  six  miles.  Division  officer  of  day. 

June  27th.  Rainy.  Started  at  10  o’clock  a.  m.  ; passed  through  Jeffer- 
son and  bivouacked  near  Middletown;  distance  about  twelve  miles. 

June  28th.  Fair.  Started  at  8 o’clock  a.  m.  ; passed  through  Middletown 
and  Frederick  to  Walkerville,  distance  about  sixteen  miles,  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night. 

June  29th.  Rainy.  Started  at  6 o’clock  a.  m.  ; passed  through  Walker- 
ville, Woodsborough,  Middleburg  and  Taneytown,  distance  marched  about 
eighteen  miles,  and  bivouacked  for  night. 


136 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


June  30th.  Rain.  Started  at  2.30  o’clock  p.  m.  and  marched  to  near 
Emmitsburg;  distance  eight  miles. 

July  1st.  Rain.  Started  at  2.30  o’clock;  bivouacked  near  Gettysburg, 
Pa.;  distance  nine  miles.  Enemy  in  our  front.  Severe  march;  distance 
marched  fourteen  miles. 

July  2d.  Fair.  Took  position  early;  went  to  the  front  in  woods  with 
one  hundred  sharp-shooters;  met  enemy  in  force;  lost  in  the  charge  forty- 
eight  men  killed,  wounded  and  missing;  remained  in  advance  until  evening 
when  we  retired  with  First  brigade,  losing  great  many  men,  reported 
seventy-four.  Maj.  Lee,  Capt.  Keene,  Lt.  Penniman,  Sergt.-maj.  Small, 
killed  or  wounded. 

July  3d.  Fair.  Took  position  on  left  in  movement.  Went  to  support 
of  Second  corps;  no  casualties.  Rained  at  night.  Enemy  completely 
repulsed  in  our  front  entire  day.  Commanding  brigade. 

July  4th.  Rain.  No  casualties.  Moved  to  first  line  and  relieved  skir- 
mishers of  15th  Mass.  Occupied  the  line  until  midnight,  when  we  retired 
in  rear  of  second  line.  Very  heavy  rain  all  night;  skirmishers  to  front  all 
night;  enemy  left  at  night. 

July  5th.  Fair.  Relieved  from  support  of  Second  corps;  rejoined  bri- 
gade and  occupied  line  of  2d  instant.  Found  and  buried  our  dead. 

July  6th.  Stormy.  Remained  in  same  position;  visited  hospital.  Lieut. - 
Col.  Burt  joined  regiment.  16  K.,  59  W.,  10  P.,  22  M.  [These  figures  evi- 
dently refer  to  the  losses  at  Gettysburg  in  killed,  wounded,  prisoners  and 
missing.] 

July  7th.  Rain.  Started  from  bivouac  at  4 o’clock  a.  m.;  passed 
through  Emmitsburg  and  Mechanicstown  and  bivouacked  there  for  the 
night;  distance  marched  fourteen  miles. 

July  8th.  Rain.  Started  6.45  AM.;  passed  through  Katoctin  Furnace 
and  Pass,  on  pike;  three  hours’  rest  at  noon  on  account  of  extreme  bad 
road;  passed  through  Frederick;  bivouacked  on  road  to  Middletown;  dis- 
tance marched  sixteen  miles. 

July  9th.  Fair.  Started  at  5 o’clock;  passed  through  Middletown 
and  bivouacked  at  South  Mountain  Pass;  distance  marched  five  miles. 

July  10th.  Fair.  Started  at  5 o’clock;  moved  towards  the  front,  very 
short  marches  to  change  position;  distance  marched  ten  miles.  Passed 
through  Cadysville;  bivouacked  near  Antietam  Creek. 

July  nth.  Fair.  Started  at  4 o’clock;  passed  through  Rocks  Mills; 
crossed  Antietam  Creek;  bivouacked  for  night;  distance  six  miles.  Pre- 
sented with  set  spurs  by  Co.  E. 

July  12th.  Rain.  Moved  to  front  in  reserve;  formed  line  in  afternoon 
and  bivouacked  for  night;  advanced  about  one  mile. 

July  13th.  Fair.  No  charge;  remained  on  same  line. 

July  14th.  Rain.  Struck  bivouac  at  12  o’clock;  passed  Jones’  Cross 
Roads  and  bivouacked  for  night  in  field  near  and  in  rear  of  reb’s  works — 
(two  miles).  Division  officer  of  the  day. 

July  15th.  Fair.  Started  at  4 o’clock  en  route  for  Harper’s  Ferry; 
passed  through  Fairplay  and  Sharpsburg  and  bivouacked  three  miles  beyond; 
— eight  miles. 


THIRD  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


137 


July  16th.  Rain.  Started  at  6.30  o’clock  a.  m.  and  bivouacked  near 
Maryland  Heights;  marched  about  six  miles. 

July  17th.  Rain.  Started  at  6 o’clock  p.  m.  and  crossed  Potomac  at 
Sandy  Hook  to  Harper’s  Ferry;  crossed  Shenandoah  River  and  bivouacked 
for  night;  marched  eight  miles. 


PARTICIPANTS. 


FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Moses  B.  Lakeman,  Augusta. 

Major,  Samuel  P.  Lee,  Hallowed. 

Surgeon,  Thaddeus  Hildreth,  Gardiner. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  William  H.  Jewett,  Turner. 

Second  Assistant  Surgeon,  James  D.  Watson,  Brooks. 
Chaplain,  S.  Freeman  Chase,  Camden. 

Quartermaster,  Charles  T.  Watson,  Bath. 

Sergeant-major,  Henry  S.  Small,  Bowdoinham. 
Quartermaster-sergeant,  Thomas  McFadden,  Bath. 
Commissary-sergeant,  Lorenzo  W.  Grafton,  Augusta. 

Hospital  Steward,  John  Littlefield,  Jr.,  Skowhegan. 
Drum-major,  Charles  Ellis,  Waterville. 

Fife-major,  Charles  Elliott,  Bath. 

Company  A. 

Captain,  George  W.  Hervey,  Bath. 

First  Lieutenant,  Abner  W.  Turner,  Bath. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  C.  Hudson,  Bath. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Charles  T.  Hooper,  Bath, 

Charles  N.  Osgood,  Bath,  William  B.  Parris,  Bath. 

CORPORALS. 

Jonathan  Newcomb,  Jr.,  Bath,  John  L.  Little,  Bath, 

Charles  T.  Butler,  Phippsburg,  Wesley  Oliver,  Bath. 

PRIVATES. 


Adams,  John  W.,  Bath, 
Campbell,  Thomas  G.,  Bath, 
Durgin,  William  H.,  Bath, 
House,  Henry  H.,  Bath, 
King,  Eleazer,  Bath, 

Norton,  Charles  M.,  Bath, 
Ramsey,  Edwin  R.,  Bath, 
Trull,  Phineas  A.,  Bath, 


Barton,  George  H.  B.,  Bath, 
Crooker,  William  F.,  Bath, 
Emery,  Augustus  F.,  Phippsburg, 
Hughes,  William,  Woolwich, 
Lord,  John  A.,  Bath, 

Preble,  Edgar  W.,  Woolwich, 
Sprague,  Gilman  S.,  Bath, 

Wall,  Amos  H.,  Bath, 


Webber,  Oliver,  Bath. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Lincoln  Litch- 
field, Bath,  div.  com.  dept.  Privates:  Lewis  K Blair,  Bath;  John  E.  Foley, 
Bath,  ambulance  driver;  Adam  Lemont,  Brunswick,  prov.  gd.  div.  h’dqrs.; 
Franklin  Shepherd,  Bath,  corps  h’dqrs. 


138 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  B. 

SERGEANTS. 

Hannibal  A.  Johnson,  Hallowell,  Asa  C.  Rowe,  Augusta, 
Frederick  Gannett,  Augusta. 

CORPORALS. 

Edward  L.  Smith,  Belgrade,  Frank  White,  Augusta, 

John  W.  Jones,  Augusta. 

PRIVATES. 


Call,  Nathan  H.,  Augusta, 
Delano,  Charles  S.,  Augusta, 
Gannett,  Charles,  Augusta, 
Pease,  Thomas  O.,  Augusta, 
Winslow,  Joseph  F.,  China. 


Barker,  Enoch  M.,  Troy, 

Crummett,  George  L.,  Augusta, 

Foss,  William  T. , Belgrade, 

Kittredge,  Orrin,  Richmond, 

Sawyer,  Charles  E.,  Bath, 

Musician:  Frank  Carlin,  Augusta. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Capt.  Edward  C.  Pierce, 
Augusta,  signal  corps.  Wagoner  Frank  E.  Sager,  Hallowell.  Privates: 
William  Bagley,  Canton;  George  M.  Bean,  Augusta;  Orrin  G.  Farnham, 
Bath;  Harry  W.  Gardiner,  Hallowell,  signal  corps;  Reuel  Merrill,  Augusta; 
Stephen  M.  Scates,  Augusta;  Benjamin  Sedgerly,  Bowdoinham. 

Company  C. 

Captain,  John  S.  Moore,  Gardiner. 

sergeants. 

Parlin  Crawford,  Gardiner,  George  F.  Spear,  Gardiner, 

George  M.  Houghton,  Gardiner. 

CORPORALS. 


Charles  H.  Martin,  Canaan, 

Charles  M.  Landers,  Danville. 

Brookings,  Daniel,  Pittston, 

Crosby,  Reuben  H.,  Winthrop, 

Dean,  Westbrook,  Gardiner, 

Fall,  Hamden  A.,  Gardiner, 

Heath,  Andrew,  Whitefield, 

Leighton,  William,  Augusta, 

Morrill,  George  T.,  Wiscasset, 

Packard,  Almon  J.,  Gardiner, 

Spear,  Charles  H.,  Gardiner, 

Wakefield,  Stephen  D.,  Gardiner, 

Washburn,  George  M.,  Gardiner. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Moses  S.  Wads- 
worth, Gardiner,  hosp.  nurse;  George  S.  Wedgewood,  Litchfield,  clerk 
brig,  h’dqrs.;  Charles  H.  Welch,  Gardiner;  William  Wight,  Gardiner, 
brig,  h’dqrs. 

Company  D. 

Captain,  Alfred  S.  Merrill,  Bath. 

First  Lieutenant,  Woodbury  Hall,  Woolwich. 

SERGEANTS. 

Eben  S.  Allen,  Bath,  Henry  H.  Shaw,  Woolwich, 

Alvin  Kennerson,  Bath. 

corporal.  George  Farnham,  Woolwich. 


Danforth  M.  Maxcy,  Gardiner, 
PRIVATES. 

Colburn,  Hiram  W.,  Pittston, 
Dale,  Horace  W.,  Gardiner, 
Dennis,  John  S.,  Gardiner, 

Foy,  Charles  H.,  Gardiner, 
Hutchinson,  Albion  T.,  Gardiner, 
Moody,  Daniel  M.,  Pittston, 

Neal,  Lyman  C.,  Augusta, 
Pettingill,  William  H.,  Winthrop, 
Sturtevant,  William  H.,  Gardiner, 
Walker,  Nathan  N.,  Gardiner, 


THIEI)  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


139 


Carlton,  Jotham  S.,  Bath, 
Dearborn,  Charles  H.,  Wentworth, 
Getchell,  Charles,  Woolwich, 
Mclntire,  Josiah  K.,  Bath, 

Ring,  David,  Bath, 

Scammell,  Timothy,  Bath, 
Wakefield,  Jeremiah,  Bath, 


PRIVATES. 

Campbell,  Archibald,  Bath, 

Fletcher,  James,  Bath, 

Hartnett,  Patrick  T.,  Bath, 

Pushard,  Joseph,  Bath, 

Roach,  Joseph  A.,  Bath, 

Snell,  Charles  F.,  Bath, 

Williams,  Melville  C.,  Bath. 
Musician:  Warren  W.  Goud,  Topsham. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Wagoner  Lyman  P.  Wildes, 
Bath,  teamster  div.  h’dqrs.  Privates:  Chandler  Ayers,  Bath,  div.  h’dqrs. ; 
Isaac  Durgin,  Bath,  teamster  brig,  h’dqrs.;  James  Jameson,  Bath,  div.  pro. 
guard;  Edward  C.  Stinson,  Woolwich,  brig,  h’dqrs. 

Company  E. 

Captain,  George  O.  Getchell,  Hallowell. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  S.  Fuller,  Hallowed. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  A.  Nye,  Hallowed. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Charles  M.  Bursley,  Hallowed, 

George  F.  Chamberlain,  Hallowed. 

CORPORALS. 

George  W.  Hubbard,  Hallowed,  Charles  J.  Dalton,  Chelsea. 

PRIVATES. 

Bailey,  George  W.,  West  Gardiner,  Bancroft,  Charles,  Hallowed, 


Bragg,  William  F.,  Hallowed, 
Burns,  Hugh,  Hallowed, 

Carter,  Henry  C.,  Farmingdale, 
Douglass,  Isaac  M.,  Bath, 

George,  Sherburn  S.,  Hallowed, 
Leighton,  Silas  F.,  Manchester, 
Packard,  Horatio  M.,  Bridgewater, 
Rogers,  Charles  B.,  Hallowed, 
Simmons,  Stephen  M.,  Hallowed, 
Sweetland,  Frank,  Farmingdale, 
Towns,  Elijah  C.,  Wilton, 

Towns,  Reuben  A.,  Wilton, 


Bryant,  John  W. , Hallowed, 
Buswell,  Albert  S.,  Hallowed, 
Crosby,  Rodney,  Albion, 
Emerson,  Hazen  H.,  Hallowed, 
Gilman,  Charles  C.,  Hallowed, 
Murch,  Alden  F.,  Foxcroft, 
Roach,  Henry  J.,  Bath, 

Russell,  George  G.,  Harpswell, 
Sprague,  Aden  H.,  St.  Albans, 
Sweetland,  Seth,  Farmingdale, 
Towns,  Elisha,  Wilton, 

Turner,  Iddo  B.,  Palermo, 


Williams,  Frank,  Gardiner. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Thomas  S.  Allen, 
Bowdoin,  brig,  ambulance  corps.  Privates:  William  C.  Bartlett,  Bethel; 
James  S.  Choate,  Hallowed,  teamster;  William  E.  Mathews,  Hallowed,  brig, 
ambulance  corps;  William  B.  Potter,  Dubuque,  la.;  clerk  brig,  h’dqrs.; 
Noah  F.  Weeks,  Hallowed,  teamster. 

Company  F. 

Captain,  William  C.  Morgan,  Cornville. 

SERGEANTS. 

Anson  R.  Morrison,  Skowhegan,  Joseph  P.  Durgin,  The  Forks  pi. 

Ora  H.  Nason,  Clinton. 

corporals. 

Henry  H.  Chase,  Skowhegan. 


Amos  H.  Cole,  Starks, 


140 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


PRIVATES. 


Dorathy,  George  E.,  Walpole,  Mass. 
Maxim,  William  H.,  Norridgewock, 
Parlin,  John  A.,  Skowhegan, 

Rich,  George  F.,  Skowhegan, 
Shattuck,  Luke  F.,  Madison, 

Stevens,  John  H.,  Clinton, 

Swan,  Henry  B.,  Anson, 

Weston,  William  H.,  Skowhegan, 


Currier,  Thomas  S.,  Anson, 

Luce,  Alsbury,  Norridgewock, 

Maxwell,  Charles  N.,  Canaan, 

Rackliff,  William  J.,  Fairfield, 

Savage,  Brooks  D.,  Skowhegan, 

Smith,  Wilson  C.,  Farmington, 

Swan,  Franklin,  Anson, 

Towle,  Charles  L.,  Winthrop, 

Williamson,  Luther  A.,  Starks. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  George  Keef, 
Fairfield.  Wagoner  Luther  Dean,  Madison.  Privates:  John  L.  Fish,  Starks; 
John  F.  Frost,  Skowhegan;  Benjamin  Greenlief,  Starks;  Heman  Hunne- 
well,  Jr.,  Solon;  John  W.  Jones,  Winthrop,  orderly  div.  h’dqrs. 

Company  G. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  A.  Mclntire,  Waterville. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  W.  Lowe,  Waterville. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  William  E.  Brown,  Sidney, 

William  H.  Copp,  Waterville,  George  W.  Davis,  Waterville. 

George  C.  Drummond,  Winslow. 

CORPORALS. 

Algernon  P.  Herrick,  Brooklin,  Orrin  Austin,  New  Sharon. 

PRIVATES. 

Derocher,  Henry,  Waterville, 


Arnold,  Charles  H.,  Sidney, 

Field,  Henry,  Sidney, 

Frost,  Samuel  E.,  Belgrade, 

Hallett,  LeanderT.,  Mercer, 

Marshall,  John  T.,  Southport, 

Perry,  James,  Waterville, 

Pullen,  Frank  D.,  Waterville, 

Spofford,  Amherst,  Southport, 

Webber,  Hiram  C.,  Winslow. 

Musician:  Llewellyn  E.  Hodges,  Winslow. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporals  Jonathan  Bige- 
ow,  Jr.,  Lowell;  Charles  W.  Derocher,  Waterville.  Wagoner  John  G. 
Wiley,  Boston,  Mass.  Privates:  Charles  Bacon,  Waterville,  hosp.  nurse; 
Charles  H.  Buswell,  New  Sharon;  Luther  N.  Eames,  Waterville;  George 
Lashus,  Waterville;  Hiram  G.  Robinson,  Sidney;  Moses  W.  Young,  Calais. 


Fossett,  John  E.,  Vassalboro, 
Grover,  Charles  C.,  Skowhegan, 
McClausland,  Simon,  Winslow, 
Perley,  Nathaniel,  Waterville, 
Pollard,  Otis,  Winslow, 

Sawtelle,  Augustus  M.,  Sidney, 
Sylvester,  Charles  E.,  Bath, 


Company  H. 

SERGEANTS. 

William  W.  Livermore,  Vassalboro,  Albro  Hubbard,  Waterville. 

CORPORALS. 

John  H.  Bacon,  Waterville,  John  F.  Stanley,  Smithfield, 

Eben  Farrington,  Livermore,  Philander  F.  Rowe,  Smithfield. 


Bow,  Horace,  Waterville, 
Cochran,  Robert,  Waterville, 
Dixon,  George,  Fairfield, 


PRIVATES. 

Bragg,  Lewis,  Vassalboro, 
Corson,  Albert,  Waterville, 
Dyer,  Lorenzo,  Brighton, 


THIRD  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


141 


Eaton,  James  R.,  Vassalboro, 
Farrington,  Frank,  Chesterville, 
Freeman,  George  R.,  Vassalboro, 
Hunter,  Melvin,  Clinton, 

Jones,  Charles  H.,  Jay, 

Preble,  William  T.,  Winslow, 
Rowe,  Isaac,  Smithfield, 
Woodman,  Alvin  B.,  Waterville. 


Emery,  Joseph  R.,  Fairfield, 
Fish,  Hiram,  Waterville, 
Hursom,  Milford,  Waterville, 
James,  Isaiah  H.,  Waterville, 
Major,  Cyrus  M.,  Vassalboro, 
Robinson,  Charles  H.,  Sidney, 
Tallus,  John,  Waterville, 


MUSICIANS. 

Henry  Crowell,  Waterville,  Baxter  Crowell,  Waterville. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates  Samuel  W. 
Austin,  New  Sharon;  Solomon  B.  Lewis,  Waterville;  Nathan  P.  Taber, 
Vassalboro. 

Company  I. 


First  Sergeant,  John  B.  Dodge, 
Andrew  Nicholas,  Augusta, 
Henry  Lyon,  Vassalboro. 

Daniel  Chadwick,  Augusta, 


SERGEANTS. 

Somerville, 

Nelson  W.  Jones,  Palermo, 
CORPORALS. 

Henry  A.  Griffith,  Augusta, 


Wilbert  Boynton,  Palermo, 


Warren  W.  Cooper,  Somerville. 


PRIVATES. 


Bailey,  Andrew  J.,  Chelsea, 
Bolton,  William,  Augusta, 

Brown,  William  A.,  Augusta, 

Day,  David,  Augusta, 

Goodwin,  Adam  B.,  Newfield, 
Lewis,  Alexander,  Somerville, 
Livermore,  Leonard  H.,  Augusta, 
Mann,  John  A.,  Augusta, 

Orrick,  James,  Augusta, 


Bachelor,  Charles  M.,  Augusta, 
Brann,  Levi  W.,  Somerville, 
Burden,  Calvin  H.,  Augusta, 
Fellows,  George  L.,  Augusta, 
Hill,  Reuben,  Sanford, 

Lewis,  Andrew  J.,  Somerville, 
Maher,  William,  Gardiner, 
Neal,  Harrison  W.,  Palermo, 
Palmer,  William  V.,  Newfield. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  George  P.  Went- 
worth, Augusta.  Musicians  William  Stover,  Augusta;  Marcellus  Gale, 
Augusta.  Wagoner  William  H.  Spofford,  Augusta,  teamster  div.  h’dqrs. 
Privates:  Byron  C. Bickford,  Augusta;  Byron  Branch,  Augusta,  div.  h’dqrs.; 
Benjamin  C.  Campbell,  Somerville;  Augustus  Chadwick,  Augusta,  ambu- 
lance corps;  Samuel  Gowell,  Augusta;  Frank  S.  Martin,  Augusta,  teamster 
brig,  h'dqrs.;  Rufus  S.  McCurdy,  Augusta,  pro.  guard,  div.  h’dqrs.;  Heze- 
kiah  Ridley,  Richmond,  ambulance  corps;  John  H.  Spaulding,  Augusta, 
teamster  div.  h’dqrs.;  Edward  A.  Stewart,  Augusta,  div.  h’dqrs.;  William 
S.  Thoms,  Augusta,  corps  mail  agent. 


Company  K. 

Captain,  John  C.  Keene,  Leeds. 

First  Lieutenant,  Henry  Penniman,  Winthrop. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Fred  H.  Strout,  Durham, 

Bradford  W.  Smart,  Vassalboro,  Edward  K.  Thomas,  Winthrop, 
Dexter  W.  Howard,  Leeds. 


142 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Hugh  S.  Newell,  Readfield, 
Alexander  T.  H.  Wood,  Winthrop, 

Burgess,  William  H.,  Winthrop, 
Caswell,  Lloyd  B.,  Leeds, 

Cochran,  Hiram,  Waterville, 

Heald,  William,  E.  Livermore, 
Johnson,  Henry  C.,  Farmington, 
Norris,  Daniel  S.,  Mt.  Vernon, 
Raymond,  William  R.,  Wayne, 
Stearns,  Joseph  H.,  Winthrop, 
Turner,  Henry  S.,  Leeds 
Wood,  Elias,  Winthrop. 


CORPORALS. 

Charles  A.  Smart,  Vassalboro, 
Andrew  P.  Bachelder,  Winthrop. 
PRIVATES. 

Butler,  George  A.,  Winthrop, 
Chandler,  Samuel  G. , Winthrop, 
Frost,  Albert  H.,  Winthrop, 

Holmes,  James  M.,  Winthrop, 

Keay,  Ruggles  S.,  Greene, 

Perkins,  George,  Winthrop, 

Ricker,  James  C.,  Winthrop, 
Thompson,  Gustavus  A.,  Winthrop, 
Wilson,  William  G.,  Winthrop, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  John  W.  Russell, 
Winthrop,  blacksmith;  Franklin  Dwyer,  Winthrop;  William  Elder,  Win- 
throp, pro.  guard,  div.  h’dqrs.;  Charles  H.  Smiley,  Winthrop,  brig,  ambu- 
lance corps;  Patrick  H.  Snell,  Winthrop,  brig,  ambulance  corps. 


The  condensed  morning  report  of  the  Third  Maine  regiment 
June  30,  1863,  shows  : 

Present  for  duty,  22  officers,  244  enlisted  men ; total,  266. 
Present  sick,  2 men ; present  daily  duty,  3 men. 


Note  on  foregoing  list  of  participants. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  monument  inscription  and  Col. 
Lakeman’s  official  report  show  less  in  number  than  this  nominal 
list.  The  non-combatant  officers  here  given  were  omitted  in 
the  former,  and  one  staff  officer,  present  June  30th,  was  not 
on  duty  July  2d.  The  discrepancy  of  two  line  officers  remains  ; 
it  is  possible  that  two  were  commissioned  and  acting  as  officers, 
but  not  mustered  as  such  at  the  time ; all  those  named  in  the 
list  are  well  vouched  for  as  present. 

As  to  the  difference  of  fifty  in  enlisted  men : some  fell  out 
sick  after  June  30th ; a number  in  every  regiment  were  mus- 
tered as  present  for  duty  June  30th  who  did  not  carry  arms  in 
battle,  — stretcher-carriers,  temporary  details,  etc.  Having 
been  denied  all  information  from  the  departments  at  Wash- 
ington, the  difficulty  of  separating  the  names  at  this  late  day  is 
insurmountable . 


THIRD  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


143 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Major,  Samuel  P.  Lee,  wounded,  right  arm  dislocated. 

Sergeant-major,  Henry  S.  Small,  killed. 

Company  A. 

SERGEANTS. 

Charles  N.  Osgood,  w’d,  leg,  severe.  William  B.  Parris,  wounded,  leg. 

CORPORALS. 

Jonathan  Newcomb,  Jr.,  prisoner.  John  L.  Little,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Crooker,  William  F.,  prisoner.  Emery,  Augustus  F.,w’d,  side,  severe. 

Hughes,  William,  prisoner.  Ramsey,  Edwin  R.,  wounded,  hand. 

Trull,  Phineas  A.,  prisoner.  Webber,  Oliver,  prisoner. 

Company  B. 

SERGEANTS. 

Hannibal  A.  Johnson,  w’d  and  pris’r.  Asa  C.  Rowe,  killed. 

Fred  Gannett,  w’d,  right  foot. 


Barker,  Enoch  M.,  prisoner. 
Gannett,  Charles,  prisoner. 


Corporal  John  W.  Jones,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Call,  Nathan  H.,  wounded. 

Winslow,  Joseph  F.,  prisoner. 
Company  C. 

SERGEANTS. 

Parlin  Crawford,  w’d,  arm,  severe.  George  F.  Spear,  killed  (rep’d  miss’g). 

CORPORALS. 

Charles  H.  Martin,  prisoner.  Danforth  W.  Maxcy, 

Charles  M.  Landers,  w’d,  head,  severe.  woun(led,  died  Aug.  13, 1863. 

PRIVATES. 

Dale,  Horace  W.,  killed.  Dennis,  John  S.,  w’d,  thigh,  severe. 

Foy,  Charles  H.,  wounded,  foot.  Heath,  Andrew,  wounded,  hand. 
Moody,  Daniel  M.,  w’d,  thigh,  ampt’d.  Neal,  Lyman  C.,  wounded,  leg. 
Sturtevant,  William  H.,  w’d,  leg. 

Company  D. 

SERGEANTS. 

ist  Sergt.  Eben  S.  Allen,  Henry  H.  Shaw,  wounded,  severe. 

wounded,  died  Aug.  6, 1863. 

Corporal  George  Farnham,  wounded,  foot. 

PRIVATES. 

Hartnett,  Patrick  T.,  prisoner.  Roach,  Joseph  A.,  w’d,  died  July  11/63 

Wakefield,  Jeremiah,  wounded,  leg. 

Company  E. 

Sergeant  George  F.  Chamberlain,  wounded,  died  Aug.  21,  1S63. 

PRIVATES. 

Bailey,  George  W.,  w’d,  severe.  Bancroft,  Charles,  killed  (rept’dw’d). 
George,  Sherburn  S.,  w’d,  severe.  Leighton,  Silas  F.,  w’d,  shoulder. 
Murch,  Alden  F.,  wounded,  leg.  Packard,  Horatio  M.,  wounded. 
Rogers,  Charles  B.,  killed.  Simmons,  Stephen  M.,  prisoner. 

Sprague,  Allen  H., w’d,  diedAug.  3, ’63Sweetland,  Seth,  prisoner. 


144 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  F. 


SERGEANTS. 

Joseph  P.  Durgin,  wounded.  Ora  H.  Nason,  prisoner. 


CORPORALS. 

Amos  H.  Cole,  killed.  Henry  H.  Chase,  wounded. 


Currier,  Thomas  S.,  killed. 

Luce,  Alsbury,  killed. 

Rackliff,  William  J.,  wounded. 
Stevens,  John  H.,  wounded. 
Swan,  Henry  B.,  reported  killed  ; 
rejoined  regiment  from  missing. 


PRIVATES. 

Dorathy,  George  E.,  wounded. 
Maxim,  Wm.  H.,  killed  (rep’d  mis’ 
Shattuck,  Luke  F.,  prisoner. 

Swan,  Franklin,  prisoner. 

Towle,  Charles  L.,  wounded. 


Company*  G. 


SERGEANTS. 

istSergt.  William  E.  Brown,  w’d,  leg.  George  W.  Davis,  wounded. 


CORPORALS. 

Algernon  P.  Herrick,  Orrin  Austin,  reported  prisoner, 

prisoner ; died  Oct.  28,  1863. 


PRIVATES. 

Arnold,  Charles  H.,  prisoner.  Derocher,  Henry,  prisoner. 

Fossett,  John  E.,  wounded.  Frost,  Samuel  E.,  wounded. 

Grover,  Charles  C.,  prisoner.  Perry,  James,  wounded. 

Webber,  Hiram  C.,  wounded;  died  Aug.  18, 1863. 


Company  H. 

Sergeant  William  W.  Livermore,  wounded. 


CORPORALS. 

John  H.  Bacon,  wounded,  Eben  Farrington,  killed. 

Philander  F.  Rowe,  prisoner;  died  in  prison,  Nov.  27,  1863. 

PRIVATES. 

Corson,  Albert,  killed.  Dixon  George,  wounded. 

Major,  Cyrus  M.,  prisoner;  died  in  prison,  Dec.  9, 1863. 

Company  I. 


SERGEANTS. 

Nelson  W.  Jones,  killed.  Henry  Lyon,  killed. 

Corporal  Warren  W.  Cooper,  wounded. 


Bailey,  Andrew  J.,  wounded. 
Burdin,  Calvin  H.,  killed. 
Lewis,  Alexander,  prisoner. 
Neal,  Harrison  W.,  wounded. 


PRIVATES. 

Bachelor,  Charles  M.,  wounded. 
Fellows,  George  L.,  killed. 
Lewis,  Andrew  J.,  wounded. 
Palmer,  William  V.,  prisoner. 


Company  K. 

Captain  John  C.  Keene,  killed. 

First  Lieutenant  Henry  Penniman,  wounded. 


CORPORALS. 

Charles  A.  Smart,  wounded.  Alexander  T.  H.  Wood,  wounded. 


THIRD  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


145 


Burgess,  William  H.,  killed. 
Chandler,  Samnel  G.,  wounded. 
Frost,  Albert  H.,  killed. 

Heald,  William,  wounded. 
Perkins,  George,  wounded. 
Ricker,  James  C.,  prisoner. 
Wilson,  William  G.,  missing. 


PRIVATES. 

Butler,  George  A.,  prisoner. 
Cochran,  Hiram, 
prisoner ; died  in  prison,  Dec.  29, 1863. 

Keay,  Ruggles  S.,  prisoner. 
Raymond,  William  R.,  wounded. 
Turner,  Henry  S.,  wounded. 
Wood,  Elias,  prisoner. 


Note  on  the  foregoing  report  of  casualties. 

The  monument  inscription  gives  an  aggregate  of  122  killed, 
wounded  and  missing  ; Col.  Lakeman’s  official  report  113  ; the 
foregoing  nominal  list  109.  This  list  agrees  with  the  inscrip- 
tion in  the  aggregate  of  killed  and  wounded — 77,  although  those 
who  died  of  their  wounds  are  separated  from  the  wounded  here 
and  counted  with  the  killed,  but  not  so  on  the  monument.  In 
this  list,  the  "missing”  are  those  who  were  captured,  whether 
wounded  or  not,  and  those  never  heard  from  (there  being  2 
of  the  latter) . A careful  research  brings  the  list  of  missing 
down  to  32,  instead  of  45  as  on  the  monument.  It  is  probable 
that  the  number  45  was  adopted  for  the  monument  inscription 
from  Fox’s  statistics;  it  does  not  tally  with  the  information 
obtainable  in  the  Adjutant-General’s  office  at  Augusta.  The 
total  discrepancy  of  4 between  this  list  and  Col.  Lakeman’s 
report  probably  arises  from  4 falling  out  and  not  accounted  for 
with  their  command,  but  soon  after  rejoining  for  duty. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

COMPILED  FROM  OFFICIAL  AND  OTHER  SOURCES 
BY  THE  EDITORS. 

The  Third  Maine  regiment  of  infantry  was  organized  for 
active  service  May  28,  1861,  and  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  ser- 
vice at  Augusta,  June  4th.  It  was  raised  in  the  central  por- 
tion of  the  state,  and  went  into  camp  at  Augusta  on  the  State 
grounds  fronting  the  Capitol.  Company  A was  the  only  com- 
pany which  existed  under  former  militia  laws,  and  was  known 
as  the  Bath  City  Greys.  While  in  camp  at  Augusta  it  was 


146 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


under  constant  drill  of  Sergeant  Burt,  U.  S.  A.,  assisted  by 
Mr.  Frank  Pierce,  a native  of  Augusta  and  a graduate  of  the 
Vermont  Military  School.  The  regiment  was  armed  with  the 
Springfield  smooth-bore  musket. 

The  original  organization  of  the  regiment  was  as  follows : 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Oliver  Otis  Howard,  Leeds,  a graduate  of  West  Point. 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  Isaac  N.  Tucker,  Gardiner. 

Major,  Henry  G.  Staples,  Augusta. 

Chaplain,  Andrew  J.  Church,  Augusta. 

Surgeon,  Gideon  S.  Palmer,  Gardiner. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  George  E.  Brickett,  China. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieut.  Edwin  Burt,  Augusta. 

Quartermaster,  William  D.  Haley,  Bath. 

Sergeant-Major,  James  H.  Plaisted,  Waterville. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Joseph  S.  Smith,  Bath. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Lorenzo  D.  Grafton,  Augusta. 

Hospital  Steward,  Frank  H.  Getchell,  Waterville. 

Drum-major,  Charles  H.  Howard,  Leeds. 

Fife-major,  Moses  M.  Wadsworth,  Gardiner. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  William  O.  Rogers,  Bath. 

First  Lieutenant,  Reuben  Sawyer,  Bath. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  S.  Wiggin,  Bath. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  Edwin  A.  Bachelder,  Augusta. 

First  Lieutenant,  Albert  B.  Hall,  Augusta. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Edwin  Burt,  Augusta. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  William  E.  Jarvis,  Gardiner. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  M.  Colson,  Gardiner. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  S.  Andrews,  Gardiner. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Charles  A.  L.  Sampson,  Bath. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Watson,  Bath. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Warren  R.  Mattson,  Bath. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  James  M.  Nash,  Hallowed. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  W.  Sanborn,  Hallowed. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Gorham  S.  Johnson,  Hallowed. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  Elbridge  G.  Savage,  Solon. 

First  Lieutenant,  Royal  B.  Stearns,  Skowhegan. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  A.  Boyce,  Skowhegan. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Frank  S.  Hesseltine,  Wraterville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Nathaniel  Hanscom,  Benton. 

Second  Lieutenant,  W'illiam  A.  Hatch,  Waterville. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  William  S.  Heath,  Waterville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Francis  E.  Heath,  Waterville. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  R.  Day,  Waterville. 


THIRD  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


147 


Co.  I.  Captain,  Moses  B.  Lakeman,  Augusta. 

First  Lieutenant,  A.  R.  Quimby,  Augusta. 

Second  Lieutenant,  H.  M.  Rines,  Augusta. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Newell  Strout,  Durham. 

First  Lieutenant,  Binsley  S.  Kelley,  Winthrop. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  Elder,  Winthrop. 

The  Third  regiment,  with  Col.  O.  O.  Howard,  left  Augusta 
June  5,  1861,  and  arrived  at  Washington  on  the  evening  of  the 
7th.  On  their  passage  through  New  York  city  a beautiful  reg- 
imental flag  was  presented  to  them  by  Hon.  Stewart  L.  Wood- 
ford, U.  S.  District  Attorney,  in  behalf  of  the  sons  of  Maine. 
The  next  day  after  their  arrival  in  Washington  they  were 
ordered  to  a camp  of  instruction  on  Meridian  Hill,  where  they 
remained  until  July  6th,  when  they  crossed  the  Potomac  and 
encamped  in  front  of  Fort  Ellsworth,  being  at  that  time  the 
advance  regiment.  On  the  10th  they  moved  their  camp  to 
Clermont,  where  they  were  brigaded,  Colonel  Howard,  acting 
Brigadier-General,  commanding.  July  14th  they  commenced 
the  march  for  Bull  Bun,  under  the  command  of  Major  Staples, 
arriving  at  Centreville  on  the  17th,  and  at  Bull  Run  on  the 
21st.  In  the  disastrous  battle  at  the  latter  place,  the  Third 
sustained  itself  nobly.  Its  loss  was  eight  killed,  twenty-nine 
wounded  and  twelve  taken  prisoners. 

On  the  23d,  returning  to  its  previous  camp  at  Clermont,  it 
remained  there  until  August  10th,  when  it  moved  to  the  right 
of  Fort  Ellsworth,  and  was  put  into  Sedgwick’s  brigade,  formed 
of  Third  and  Fourth  Maine,  38th  and  40th  N.  Y.  regts. 

On  the  27th  and  28th  of  August,  a portion  of  the  regiment 
under  the  command  of  Major  Staples  had  a brilliant  skirmish 
with  the  enemy  at  Bailey’s  Cross  Roads,  but  met  with  no  loss. 
The  Third  remained  near  Fort  Ellsworth,  doing  picket  duty, 
working  on  fortifications  and  drilling,  until  September  27th, 
when  the  brigade  was  ordered  forward  to  the  Fowle’s  estate,  on 
the  old  Fairfax  road,  and  was  posted  in  Heintzelman’s  division. 
During  this  time  Colonel  Howard  was  promoted  to  Brigadier- 
General,  and  Major  Staples  succeeded  him  as  colonel. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1862,  broke  camp,  marched  to  Alex- 
andria and  then  proceeded  to  Hampton,  where  they  remained 
until  April  3d,  when  they  moved  with  the  army  of  the  Potomac  to 


148 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Yorktown,  at  the  siege  of  which  they  bore  an  honorable  part,  and 
when  the  enemy  evacuated  they  were  among  the  first  in  pursuit. 

At  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  May  5th,  the  regiment  was 
detached  by  General  Heintzelman  to  guard  the  left  flank,  which 
position  they  held  until  sunset,  when  they  marched  to  the  relief 
of  the  regiments  then  engaged.  Gen.  Phil.  Kearny,  who 
commanded  the  division,  says  that  the  Third  and  Fourth  Maine 
" by  their  steady  and  imposing  attitude  contributed  to  the  suc- 
cess of  those  more  immediately  engaged.”  The  Third  lost  but 
two  men,  wounded. 

May  15th  they  arrived  at  Cumberland  Landing  on  the 
Pamunkey  river,  where  they  remained  a few  days,  when  they 
marched  to  within  a few  miles  of  Bottom’s  Bridge,  on  the  Chick- 
ahominy.  On  the  23d  they  crossed  this  bridge  and  marched 
within  half  a mile  of  Fair  Oaks.  The  battle  of  Seven  Pines 
took  place  on  the  31st  and  June  1st.  On  the  former  date, 
during  the  attack  on  the  enemy’s  left,  the  Third  was  ordered 
to  the  front  by  General  Birney.  It  moved  up  the  railroad  by 
the  flank,  and  occupied  several  positions  on  the  right  and  left 
of  the  road  during  the  afternoon,  resting  at  night  in  line  of 
battle  upon  the  first  opening  on  the  right  of  the  railroad,  above 
the  bridge.  The  next  morning  it  was  ordered  into  the  field 
on  the  left  of  the  railroad,  where  it  formed  a line  of  battle 
under  the  edge  of  the  woods.  The  presence  of  the  enemy  in 
force  in  their  front  was  revealed  by  his  terrific  fire,  opened 
upon  the  skirmishers  under  the  command  of  Major  Burt,  who 
checked  them  until  the  main  body  came  up.  A charge  was  then 
ordered,  and  the  movement  was  gallantly  executed.  The  enemy 
was  pursued  a half  mile  when  the  Third  encountered  his  reserve, 
who  returned  our  fire  with  terrible  effect,  but  which  was  soon 
silenced.  During  this  battle  the  regiment  did  its  duty  nobly 
and  bravely.  General  Kearny  told  Colonel  Ward,  command- 
ing the  brigade  at  the  time  of  the  action,  that  " The  brigade 
have  done  nobly,  sir,  and  the  Third  and  Fourth  Maine  can’t 
be  beat ! ” The  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  nearly  one- 
third  of  the  regiment. 

The  Third  remained  in  the  advance  line  of  the  army  until 
June  25th,  when  they  were  engaged  in  the  battle  of  White  Oak 


THIRD  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


149 


Swamp,  in  which  the  regiment  by  having  a good  position  was 
enabled  to  do  excellent  service  with  very  slight  loss.  On  the 
29th  they  were  withdrawn  from  the  advance  line  of  fortifications 
before  Richmond  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  and  under 
command  of  Major  Burt  crossed  White  Oak  Swamp  at  Jordan’s 
ford  in  the  evening,  covered  by  the  left  flank  company  as  skir- 
mishers, under  command  of  Lieutenant  Cox,  who,  after  an 
advance  of  nearly  two  miles  in  the  direction  of  Charles  City 
Cross  Roads,  came  upon  the  rebels  in  considerable  force,  when 
a brisk  skirmish  took  place  ; but  in  consequence  of  the  disparity 
of  force,  Lieutenant  Cox  was  forced  to  retire  after  a loss  of  one 
man  killed  and  one  taken  prisoner.  By  order  of  General  Bir- 
ney  the  regiment  then  recrossed  the  swamp,  followed  its  bank 
about  six  miles,  and  again  crossing,  gained  the  highlands  and 
bivouacked  for  the  night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th  they  went  forward  on  the  Charles 
City  Road  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Charles  City 
Cross  Roads.  Before  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  July  1st 
they  marched  to  Malvern  Hill,  where  during  the  battle  at  that 
place  they  assisted  in  supporting  Randolph’s  6th  R.  I.  battery. 
For  eight  hours  they  were  exposed  to  a severe  fire  from  the 
enemy’s  batteries,  during  which  time  the  conduct  of  the  men 
was  admirable  in  the  extreme.  Their  loss  was  very  light.  At 
an  early  hour  the  next  morning  they  removed  to  Dr.  Mung’s 
plantation  near  Berkley’s  Station,  where  they  bivouacked  that 
night,  and  on  the  following  morning,  after  having  their  camp 
shelled  by  the  enemy,  advanced  three  miles  in  the  direction  of 
Harrison’s  Landing,  where  they  encamped.  From  this  time 
until  August  15th,  the  Third  remained  in  front,  when  they 
joined  in  the  retrograde  movement  towards  Yorktown,  where 
they  arrived  on  the  19th,  and  on  the  21st  embarked  on  trans- 
ports for  Alexandria,  at  which  place  they  arrived  the  following 
day.  From  thence  they  proceeded  on  the  23d  by  rail  to  within 
four  miles  of  the  Rappahannock  river,  thence  to  Greenwich, 
Bristoe’s  Station,  Manassas  and  Centreville,  and  finally  on  the 
29th  of  August  they  marched  for  Bull  Run,  arriving  on  the 
battlefield  at  about  9 a.m.,  and  participating  in  the  engagement 
of  that  day.  The  next  day  they  supported  Randolph’s  battery 


150 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


until  3 o’clock  p.  m.,  when  they  retired  to  the  rear.  The  reg- 
iment shortly  returned  to  the  attack  with  the  lamented  General 
Kearny  at  their  head,  but  meeting  a rebel  brigade  they  were 
forced  to  retire  under  a murderous  fire.  A portion  of  the  Third 
also  encountered  another  heavy  fire,  while  supporting  a section 
of  a battery,  when  with  the  rest  of  the  forces  they  fell  back  to 
Centreville. 

The  next  day  the  regiment  took  up  the  line  of  march  for 
Fairfax,  when  took  place  the  battle  of  Chantilly,  during  which  it 
sustained  unflinchingly  a murderous  fire  from  a superior  force, 
losing  four  killed,  thirty-eight  wounded  and  eight  missing. 

On  the  2d  of  September  they  marched  to  Alexandria  and 
encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Lyon.  On  the  8th  they 
moved  to  Fort  Worth,  and  from  thence  to  Fort  Barnard,  where 
they  remained  until  the  15th,  when  they  proceeded  to  Pooles- 
ville,  Md.,  and  thence  to  White’s  Ford,  on  the  upper  Potomac. 
The  several  fords  from  the  Monocacy  to  Conrad’s  Ferry  were 
guarded  by  the  regiment  . At  the  last  named  place  Colonel 
Staples  had  temporary  command  of  the  brigade. 

On  the  11th  of  October  the  regiment,  together  with  the 
Fourth  Maine,  proceeded  to  the  mouth  of  the  Monocacy,  to 
intercept  the  return  of  Stuart's  cavalry  into  Virginia.  A brisk 
engagement  ensued,  which  resulted  in  the  enemy’s  making  his 
escape.  Returning  to  Poolesville,  they  marched  to  White’s 
Ford,  thence  to  Leesburg,  Warrenton,  on  the  Rappahannock 
(Nov.  7th),  where  they  remained  at  Waterloo  bridge  until  the 
16th,  when  they  were  ordered  to  Falmouth,  arriving  there 
November  22d.  In  the  meantime  Col.  Staples  resigned,  and 
Lieut. -Col.  Lakeman  was  promoted  to  the  colonelcy. 

Remained  at  Falmouth  until  Dec.  11th,  when  they  joined 
in  the  forward  move  on  Fredericksburg.  Late  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  following  day  they  marched  six  miles  down  the  river  in 
order  to  cross  the  Rappahannock  and  reinforce  General  Frank- 
lin, who  had  been  giving  battle  to  the  enemy  since  morning. 
On  arriving  within  about  a mile  of  the  pontoon  bridge,  it  was 
found  that  the  troops  previously  sent  by  this  route  had  not  yet 
crossed,  and  the  Third  was  ordered  to  bivouac.  The  next  day 
at  daybreak  they  were  under  arms,  and  at  10  o’clock  they 


THIRD  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


151 


crossed  the  Rappahannock,  when  General  Birney,  commanding 
division,  immediately  formed  his  brigades  and  pushed  forward 
to  the  left  of  the  ground  occupied  by  General  Whipple,  and 
prepared  for  action.  Colonel  Lakeman  marched  to  the  rear 
some  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  yards,  and  took  position 
amid  a shower  of  shot  and  shell,  when  he  was  ordered  to  the 
support  of  Hall’s  Second  Maine  battery,  remaining  in  position 
nearly  six  hours,  under  a most  trying  fire.  The  position  was 
a post  of  honor  and  danger.  The  battery  having  been  ordered 
to  change  position,  an  attempt  was  made  by  the  enemy  to  capt- 
ure it,  but  the  unerring  aim  of  a well-sustained  fire  from  the 
Third  sent  him  back  to  the  cover  of  his  intrenchments.  At  an 
early  hour  the  next  morning  they  were  withdrawn  from  the 
front  and  placed  in  the  second  line,  where  they  remained  through 
the  day,  when  at  midnight  they  took  up  their  previous  position 
in  the  advance.  The  regiment  was  from  necessity  compelled 
to  lie  on  wet  ground,  in  front  of  the  enemy,  for  nearly  fifty 
hours,  which  accounts  for  the  slight  loss  they  sustained,  — three 
killed,  twenty-five  wounded  and  four  missing.  On  being  with- 
drawn from  the  lines,  they  marched  to  the  camp  they  previously 
occupied,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock. 

The  regiment  broke  camp  on  the  20th  of  January,  1863, 
and  with  the  army  participated  in  General  Burnside’s  movement, 
afterwards  known  as  the  " mud  march  ” ; the  movement  being 
abandoned,  it  returned  to  its  former  camp  on  the  23d,  where 
it  remained  until  March  4th,  when  with  the  division  it  moved 
to  Potomac  Creek,  four  miles,  and  remained  there  until  April 
28th,  during  which  time  the  regiment  was  almost  constantly 
employed,  under  Captain  Morgan,  building  military  roads. 

During  the  winter  of  1863,  after  General  Hooker  had  suc- 
ceeded General  Burnside  in  the  command  of  the  army,  the  sys- 
tem of  badges  to  be  worn  upon  the  cap  was  invented.  The 
Third  corps  badge  thus  adopted  was  the  diamond,  evidently 
carrying  out  the  idea  of  General  Kearny,  in  whose  division 
the  Third  Maine  regiment  belonged.  Accordingly,  those  of 
the  First  division,  including  the  Third,  Fourth  and  Seventeenth 
Maine  regiments,  and  company  D,  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters, 


152 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


retained  the  red  diamond  patch  of  Kearny,  the  white  diamond 
designating  the  Second  and  the  blue  diamond  the  Third  division. 

April  28th,  with  the  army,  the  Third  regiment  crossed  the 
Rappahannock  river,  proceeded  to  and  participated  in  the  battle 
of  the  Cedars  and  Chancellorsville,  May  2d  and  3d,  in  which 
engagements  it  lost  Lieutenants  Cox  and  Witham,  killed,  Lieu- 
tenant Emery  wounded,  Lieutenants  Fuller  and  Nye,  prisoners  ; 
also  fifty-six  men  wounded  and  prisoners,  four  of  whom  after- 
wards died  of  wounds. 

The  movements  of  the  regiment  at  the  battle  of  Chancellors- 
ville were  as  follows  : The  regiment  bivouacked  near  United 
States  Ford  on  the  night  of  April  30th.  At  daybreak,  on  the 
morning  of  May  1st,  the  brigade  crossed  the  Rappahannock 
and  marched  to  the  Plank  road,  where  it  took  position  in  line 
of  battle  and  there  remained  until  the  morning  of  the  2d.  On 
the  2d  the  regiment  moved  farther  up  the  Plank  road,  awaiting 
an  attack  until  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  whole 
division  advanced  out  beyond  our  lines  several  miles,  striking 
the  enemy’s  train-guard  and  capturing  many  prisoners.  This 
action  was  called  the  Cedars.  Shortly  after  sunset  returned 
towards  the  previous  position,  but  halted  at  Hazel  Grove, 
remaining  there,  in  line  of  battle,  until  nearly  midnight,  when 
the  brigade  was  ordered  to  charge  upon  a force  which  had 
gained  possession  of  the  Plank  road,  and  the  road  leading  to  it, 
by  defeating  the  Eleventh  corps.  The  regiment  advanced  and 
engaged  in  a severe  fight  which  lasted  nearly  an  hour ; the  first 
and  second  lines  of  earthworks  were  carried  and  held  until  day- 
light, notwithstanding  the  stubborn  resistance  of  the  enemy 
who  outnumbered  our  forces  very  largely.  This  movement 
and  its  success  resulted  in  keeping  open  the  communication 
with  the  Twelfth  corps,  from  which  we  had  been  substantially 
cut  off  by  Jackson’s  movement  around  our  right  flank,  and  by 
which  he  had  driven  back  the  Eleventh  corps  in  disorder.  At 
daylight,  May  3d,  the  enemy  occupied  the  woods  on  two  sides 
and  opened  a sharp  fire  on  the  brigade,  which  was  briskly 
returned,  until  our  troops  were  re-arranged  nearer  the  Chan- 
cellor house.  Around  this  as  a centre  the  battle  on  May  3d 
was  fought,  in  which  Major-General  Berry  was  killed.  The 


THIRD  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


153 


brigade  supported  such  batteries  as  was  ordered  and  otherwise 
participated  in  the  action  that  took  place.  The  regiment  after 
several  changes  of  position,  at  times  under  severe  fire,  finally 
took  up  a position  with  its  brigade  in  the  new  line  of  works, 
occupying  the  first  line  of  defense.  In  this  position  it  was 
subjected  to  a heavy  artillery  fire  from  the  enemy,  and  several 
men  were  more  or  less  wounded.  The  brigade  was  highly  com- 
plimented by  General  Ward,  its  commander,  for  the  gallantry 
of  its  officers  and  men.  They  occupied  the  front  line  of  earth- 
works until  daybreak  of  the  6th,  being  the  last  to  leave  the 
front,  recrossing  the  Rappahannock  in  the  forenoon  and  return- 
ing to  their  former  camp.  Here  it  remained  until  June  11th, 
when  it  took  its  line  of  march  with  the  army  that  terminated 
in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1,  2 and  3,  1863. 

In  this  engagement  at  Gettysburg,  July  2 and  3,  1863,  the 
Third  Maine  regiment  took  a most  conspicuous  part,  being  the 
first  to  attack  the  enemy  on  the  morning  of  the  2d,  a long  dis- 
tance in  advance  of  the  line,  where  it  sustained  a loss  of  forty- 
eight  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  regiment  during  the 
remainder  of  the  day  held  an  advanced  position  in  the  ever 
memorable  Peach  Orchard  until  evening,  when  it  was  attacked 
by  an  overwhelming  force  and  compelled  to  fall  back,  sustain- 
ing the  loss  of  Captain  Keen,  killed,  Major  Lee  and  Lieut.  Pen- 
niman,  severely  wounded,  and  fifty-eight  men  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners.  In  this  attack  the  regiment  was  not  connected 
with  its  brigade.  On  the  morning  of  the  3d  the  regiment, 
under  command  of  Captain  Morgan,  with  three  others,  were 
detached  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Lakeman  to  support 
the  Second  division,  Second  corps,  where  it  remained  until  the 
morning  of  the  4th,  when  the  four  regiments  formed  an  advance 
line  of  battle  on  the  Emmitsburg  road  and,  relieving  the 
advanced  skirmishers,  remained  there  until  the  morning  of  the 
5th,  when  it  rejoined  the  brigade,  the  enemy  having  left  its 
front.  The  regiment  then  rested  in  position  until  the  morning 
of  the  7th,  when,  with  the  rest  of  the  army,  it  started  in  pur- 
suit of  the  enemy. 

July  23d  the  regiment,  with  the  Fourth  Maine,  under  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Lakeman,  engaged  and  routed  the  enemy  at 


154 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Wapping  Heights ; the  regiment,  deployed  as  skirmishers, 
charged  and  cleared  the  heights.  At  night  the  enemy  retreated. 
Next  morning  the  regiment  moved  towards  Warrenton,  where 
it  arrived  the  26th,  and  on  the  31st  moved  to  Warrenton  Sul- 
phur Springs,  where  it  remained  in  camp  until  September 
16th,  when  it  marched  to  Culpeper,  arriving  on  the  18th,  and 
remained  there  until  October  11th,  when,  with  the  army,  it 
commenced  a retrograde  movement,  and  with  the  division 
engaged  the  enemy  at  Auburn  Mills,  on  the  12th,  routing  them. 

The  Third  arrived  at  Fairfax  Station  on  the  14th  and 
remained  there  until  the  19th,  when  it  advanced  with  the  army 
to  Catlett’s  Station,  arriving  there  the  2 2d  and  remaining  there 
until  November  7th,  during  which  time  it  was  engaged  repair- 
ing the  railroads. 

On  November  7th  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  skir- 
mish at  Kelly’s  Ford,  with  slight  loss,  and  the  following  day 
advanced  towards  Brandy  Station,  arriving  there  the  9th.  On 
the  26th,  with  the  army,  it  crossed  the  Rapidan  river  at  Jacob’s 
Ford,  and  took  part  in  the  engagements  of  Orange  Grove  on 
the  27th  and  Mine  Run  on  the  30th,  with  loss  of  one  killed, 
eight  wounded  and  twenty-three  missing.  The  regiment 
remained  in  position  until  December  1st,  when  it  recrossed  the 
Rapidan  and  returned  to  camp  near  Brandy  Station. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1864,  the  regiment  was  encamped 
near  Brandy  Station,  Va.,  where  it  remained  until  May  4th, 
when  it  moved,  under  General  Grant,  across  the  Rapidan 
towards  Richmond,  and  encamped  the  same  night  on  the  battle- 
field of  Chancellorsville.  The  Third  corps  had  been  consolidated 
with  the  Second,  and  the  regiment  still  remained  in  the  First 
(Ward’s)  brigade,  Third  (Birney’s)  division,  the  corps  being 
commanded  by  Hancock.  It  participated  the  next  day  in  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  being  in  position  near  where  the  Brock 
road  crosses  the  Plank  road.  Here  it  fought  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  5th  and  the  forenoon  of  the  6th,  with  heavy  loss.  The 
regiment  made  and  repelled  several  charges  during  this  memo- 
rable battle,  and  its  men  won  fresh  laurels  by  their  courage  and 
steadiness  under  the  furious  attacks  of  the  enemy.  Among  the 
killed  was  Lieut. -Col.  Burt,  and  of  the  wounded  was  Captain 


THIRD  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


155 


Getchell,  who  afterwards  died  of  his  wounds.  After  remaining 
one  day  in  their  rifle-pits,  they  on  the  8th  joined  in  the  move- 
ment towards  Spotsylvania  Court  House,  doing  but  little  fight- 
ing however.  On  the  10th  the  regiment  was  held  in  reserve 
until  sunset,  when  they  joined  their  brigade  in  a charge  in 
which  they  were  repulsed.  In  the  assault  at  Spotsylvania  by 
the  Second  corps,  on  the  12th,  it  took  part.  The  assaulting 
column  succeeded  in  carrying  the  works  of  the  enemy  at  the 
celebrated  " salient,”  capturing  Johnson’s  division  and  many  can- 
non, and  the  repeated  counter-assaults  of  the  enemy  failed  to 
dislodge  the  Union  troops  ; the  ground  was  thickly  covered  by 
the  dead  and  wounded  of  both  sides.  The  loss  of  the  regiment 
in  these  engagements  was  severe,  Captain  Nye  being  mortally 
wounded,  acting- Adjutant  Bursley  killed,  and  Captain  Merrill 
missino-.  On  the  evening  of  the  19th  the  division  to  which  the 
Third  belonged  relieved  those  of  our  forces  who  had  been 
engaged,  including  the  heavy  artillery  regiments,  in  repelling 
the  furious  assaults  of  the  enemy  at  the  Frederickburg  road. 
On  the  morning  of  the  23d  the  regiment  moved  towards  the 
North  Anna,  where  it  arrived  during  the  afternoon,  and  where 
it  participated  in  the  assault  upon  the  enemy’s  works  command- 
ing the  bridge,  losing  severely ; among  others  were  Major 
Morgan  killed  and  Colonel  Lakeman  wounded.  On  the  28th 
the  regiment  reached  and  crossed  the  Pamunkey,  pushing  along 
until  the  morning  of  the  30th,  when  it  was  engaged  in  throw- 
ing up  intrenchments,  losing  during  the  change  of  position  by 
the  army  sixteen  men  on  picket,  most  of  whom  were  taken 
prisoners.  On  the  3d  of  June  the  regiment  with  its  division 
supported  General  Barlow’s  division  in  the  engagement  at  Cold 
Harbor.  On  the  4th  the  regiment,  after  being  highly  compli- 
mented by  General  Birney,  in  general  orders,  left  for  Maine, 
its  term  of  service  of  three  years  having  expired,  arriving  in 
Augusta  on  the  11th,  where  the  veterans  were  greeted  with  a 
public  reception  and  partook  of  a handsome  collation  prepared 
by  the  city  authorities.  The  regiment,  numbering  about  112 
men,  was  mustered  out  of  the  U.  S.  service  on  June  28,  1864. 
The  re-enlisted  men  and  recruits  were  transferred  to  the  Sev- 
enteenth Maine  regiment  before  their  departure  from  the  front. 


156 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  Third  Maine  was  one  of  the  best  regiments  in  the  service 
from  Maine  and  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  those  in  whose 
commands  it  served. 

In  Fox’s  work,  Regimental  Losses  of  the  Civil  War,  the 
Third  Maine  is  classed  among  the  three  hundred  fighting  regi- 
ments  of  the  Union  armies,  so  distinguished  on  account  of  their 
losses  in  battle. 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  the  Third  Maine  regiment  will  be 
found  in  the  Volunteer  Army  Register  (part  i),  published  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment August  31,  1865: — 

Officers  at  Muster-Out,  June  28,  1864. 

Colonel:  Moses  B.  Lakeman,  Nov.  14,  1862. 

Captains:  John  S.  Moore,  Feb.  12,  1862;  Alfred  S.  Merrill,  Oct.  26, 
1862;  George  A.  Mclntire,  Dec.  31, 1863;  Henry  P.  Worcester,  Jan.  8,  1864; 
Edward  C.  Pierce,  Feb.  5,  1863  (a.  w.  m.). 

First  Lieutenants:  John  R.  Day,  Sept.  12,  1S61  (paroled  prisoner, 
discharged  June  5,  1865);  Charles  T.  Watson,  R.  Q.  M.,  July  1,  1862;  Daniel 
W.  Emery,  Aug.  19,  1862;  Woodbury  Hall,  Oct.  26,  1S62;  George  S.  Fuller, 
Nov.  14,  1S62;  Holman  M.  Anderson,  Feb.  27,  1863  (paroled  prisoner,  dis- 
charged Jan.  30,  1865);  William  H.  Higgins,  Jan.  20,  1864;  Abner  W.  Turner, 
Feb.  5,  1863  (a.  w.  m.). 

Second  Lieutenants:  George  S.  Blake,  Oct.  15,  1862;  Charles  W. 
Lowe,  Dec.  6,  1862;  Samuel  L.  Gilman,  Feb.  27,  1863;  George  C.  Hudson, 
Feb.  27,  1863;  John  B.  Dodge,  Jan.  3,  1864;  Bradford  W.  Smart,  Apr.  2, 
1864;  Hannibal  A.  Johnson,  Apr.  7,  1864. 

Surgeon:  Thaddeus  Hildreth,  Oct.  23,  1861;  Assistant  Surgeon: 
James  D.  Watson,  Dec.  22,  1862. 

Chaplain:  Stephen  F.  Chase,  Mar.  23,  1863. 

(The  dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission;  those  hereafter 
given  refer  to  the  date  of  event.) 

Died. 

Lieut. -Col.  Edwin  Burt,  killed  at  Wilderness,  May  6,  1864;  Major  Wil- 
liam C.  Morgan,  killed  at  North  Anna  river,  May  23,  1864;  Captain  *Nathan- 
iel  Hanscomb,  June  16,  1862,  at  Fair  Oaks,  Va.,  of  fever;  Captain  John  C. 
Keene,  killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863;  Captain  George  W.  Harvey,  May 
9,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action;  Captain  George  O.  Getchell,  May  30, 
1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action;  Captain  George  A.  Nye,  June  4,  1864, 
of  wounds  received  in  action;  First  Lieut.  ^Charles  B.  Haskell,  July  2, 
1862,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Fair  Oaks,  Va. ; First.  Lieut.  *Warren 
W.  Cox,  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  3,  1863;  First  Lieut.  William 
H.  Briggs,  killed  at  Totopotomy,  Va.,  May  30,  1864;  Second  Lieut.  Denola 
Witham,  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  2,  1863. 

*Not  mustered  to  this  grade. 


ROSTER  OF  THE  THIRD  REGIMENT. 


157 


Promoted  out  of  Regiment. 

Colonel  Oliver  O.  Howard,  to  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  Vols.,  Sept.  7, 
1861;  Captain  William  S.  Heath,  to  Lieut. -Colonel  Fifth  Maine  Vols.,  Sept. 
23,  1861;  Captain  William  A.  Hatch,  to  Major  3d  U.  S.  V.,  Mar.  8,  1863; 
First  Lieut.  James  H.  Tallman,  R.  Q.  M.,  Mar.  24,  1862,  to  Captain  and  A. 

Q.  M. ; Surgeon  Gideon  S.  Palmer,  Oct.  23,  1861,  to  Brigade  Surgeon;  Cap- 
tain Francis  E.  Heath,  resigned  July  26,1862,  to  accept  promotion  as  Colonel, 
Nineteenth  Maine;  Captain  Frank  S.  Hazeltine,  discharged  Nov.  14,  1861,  to 
become  Major,  Thirteenth  Maine. 

Transferred. 

Major  Samuel  P.  Lee  to  Invalid  Corps,  July  or  Nov.,  1863;  Chaplain 
Henry  C.  Leonard  to  Eighteenth  Maine  regiment,  Oct.  28,  1862. 

Resigned  and  Discharged. 

Colonel  Henry  C.  Staples,  Nov.  14,  1862;  Lieut.-Col.  Isaac  W.  Tucker, 
Nov.  4,  1861;  Lieut.-Col.  C.  A.  L.  Sampson,  July  7,  i862. 

Captains:  John  M.  Nash,  July  30,  1861;  Newell  Strout,  Aug.  8,  1861; 
E.  G.  Savage,  Sept.  11, 1861;  W.  E.  Jarvis,  Oct.  3, 1861;  G.  S.  Johnson,  Aug. 
4,  1862;  W.  L.  Richmond,  Oct.  16,  1862;  W.  H.  Watson,  Oct.  25,  1862;  Reu- 
ben Sawyer,  Jan.  15,  1863;  J.  S.  Wiggin,  Mar.  23,  1863;  J.  H.  Plaisted, 
Mar.  26,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  G.  B.  Erskine,  July  24,  1861;  A.  R.  Quimby,  July 
27,  1861;  B.  S.  Kelly,  Aug.  7,  1S61;  W.  D.  Haley,  R.  Q.  M.,  Sept.  7,  1861; 

R.  B.  Steams,  Nov.  4,  1861;  J.  M.  Colson,  Nov.  8,  1861;  Albert  B.  Hall, 
Adjt.,  Nov.  28,  1861;  G.  S.  Andrews,  Feb.  11,  1862;  E.  P.  Donnell,  Apr.  6, 
1862;  Henry  Penniman,  Nov.  4,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenants:  H.  M.  Rines,  July  27,  1861;  W.  R.  Mattson, 
Aug.  12,  1861;  H.  A.  Boyce,  Aug.  2,  1861;  W.  Elder,  Aug.  20,  1861;  E.  C. 
Low,  Mar.  11,  1862;  S.  Hamblen,  Dec.  5,  1862,  to  be  Lieut.-Col.  10th  U.  S. 
Col.  Hy.  Arty.;  C.  A.  Hill,  Dec.  28,  1862,  to  be  Capt.  1st  U.  S.  Col.  Infty. ; 
T.  J.  Noyes,  Mar.  24,  1863;  A.  C.  Wilson,  May  6,  1863. 

Assistant  Surgeons:  G.  E.  Brickett,  Aug.  27,  1861;  F.  H.  Getchell, 
Oct.  28,  1862;  W.  H.  Jewett,  May  6,  1863. 

Chaplain:  A.  J.  Church,  July  11,  1861. 

Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

Captain  E.  A.  Bachelder,  Dec.  22,  1862;  Lieut.  J.  Savage,  Aug.  19,  1862; 
Lieut.  F.  Elliot,  Aug.  19,  1862;  Adjt.  C.  C.  Drew,  Mar.  29,  1864. 


158 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBRUG. 


MONUMENT 

OF 

FOURTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

The  monument  is  placed  in  the  gorge  of  Devil’s  Den,  where  the  regi- 
ment suffered  its  heaviest  loss.  With  one  of  the  huge  bowlders  of  that  wild 
place  for  its  foundation,  it  is  a conspicuous  memorial  of  Maine  valor.  It  is 
a five-sided  shaft  of  Maine  granite  and  bears  on  each  face  the  red  diamond 
of  the  First  division  of  the  Third  corps. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  six  feet  from  angle  to  angle  by  two  feet  four 
inches;  plinth,  three  feet  six  inches  between  the  angles  by  two  feet;  shaft, 
two  feet  nine  inches  between  angles  by  twelve  feet  in  height.  Total  height, 
sixteen  feet  four  inches. 

On  the  several  sides  are  the  following  inscriptions: 

4th  Maine 
Infantry. 

Colonel  Elijah  Walker. 


Third  Corps,  First  Division, 
Second  Brigade. 


22  Killed  and  Died. 
38  Wounded. 

56  Missing. 
Erected  by  the 
State  of  Maine. 


IN  REMEMBRANCE 
OF  OUR  CASUALTIES 

July  2d.  1863. 


FOURTH  MAINE  REGIMENT, 

SECOND  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION,  THIRD  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


THE  Fourth  Maine  regiment  was  involved  in  the  desperate 
battle  upon  the  advanced  line  projected  by  General  Sickles, 
and  belonged  to  Ward’s  brigade.  Like  the  Third  Maine, 
it  was  one  of  the  truest  veteran  regiments  in  the  army  of  the 
Potomac.  It  left  Maine  June  17,  1861,  bearing  upon  its  ban- 
ner the  inscription  "From  the  Home  of  Knox,”  indicating  the 
portion  of  the  state  in  which  it  had  been  recruited.  Major- 
General  Hiram  G.  Berry,  who  had  but  recently  met  a glorious 
death  at  Chancellorsville,  was  its  first  colonel.  It  was  led  to 
Gettysburg  by  Colonel  Elijah  Walker,  who  had  won  an  honor- 
able reputation  for  bravery  in  the  campaigns  of  Virginia. 

The  Fourth  Maine  arrived  on  the  field  with  Sickles’  corps 
about  7 o’clock  in  the  evening  of  July  1st,  the  first  day  of 
the  battle,  having  moved  up  with  the  corps  from  Taneytown 
by  the  way  of  Emmitsburg.  The  regiment  brought  onto  the 
field  about  three  hundred  men  and  officers.  About  nine  o’clock 
in  the  evening  of  their  arrival  Colonel  Walker  received  orders 
from  Major-General  Sickles  to  establish  a picket  line  to  extend 
along  a portion  of  the  front  of  the  left  wing,  as  the  Union  line 
was  formed  at  that  hour.  In  obedience  to  this  order  the  regi- 
ment moved  out,  crossed  the  Emmitsburg  road,  and  after 
advancing  thirty  or  forty  rods,  established  a picket  line.  In 
the  woods  to  the  front  were  the  Confederate  pickets  also,  and 
in  those  same  woods  the  latest  accessions  to  the  Confederate 
strength  were  gathering  after  their  march  from  the  passes  of 
South  Mountain.  The  night  passed  quietly,  but  at  daybreak  a 
desultory  skirmish  fire  began  between  the  opposing  picket  lines, 
which  was  continued  until  9 or  10  o’clock  in  the  forenoon 
of  July  2d.  From  that  time  until  afternoon,  when  the  Fourth 


160 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


was  relieved  by  the  1st  Mass,  (a),  there  was  quiet  on  this  part 
of  the  picket  line. 

When  the  Fourth  went  onto  the  picket  line  the  evening 
before,  the  Union  line  was  extending  from  Cemetery  Hill 
towards  Little  Round  Top  in  a line  nearly  straight.  But  as 
the  regiment  rejoined  the  brigade,  events  were  so  shaping 
themselves,  as  has  been  noticed  already  in  connection  with  the 
advance  of  the  Third  Maine,  that  General  Sickles  felt  impelled 
to  advance  his  corps  to  the  higher  ground  in  his  front,  where 
it  made  the  angular  line  from  Devil’s  Den  up  to  the  Peach 
Orchard,  thence  northerly  along  the  Emmitsburg  road.  This 
new  line  was  formed  between  two  and  three  o’clock  in  the  after- 
noon. The  station  of  this  brigade  was  at  the  left  extremity  of 
this  line,  and  the  Fourth  Maine  was  at  the  left  extremity  of  the 
brigade.  The  official  report  of  the  regiment,  made  directly 
after  the  battle  and  before  history  had  made  famous  every  hill 
and  valley  on  the  field,  speaks  of  taking  position  on  a "rocky 
hill.”  This  was  the  hill  to  the  right  of  Devil’s  Den,  that  won- 
derful ravine  where  nature  has  disposed  precipices  and  huge 
bowlders  in  a wild  combination  meriting  the  name  which  is 
given  it.  The  Fourth  Maine  was  stationed  to  support  two 
sections  of  Smith’s  4th  N.  Y.  battery  of  10-pounder  Parrott’s. 
To  the  left  was  a gorge  where  flows  towards  the  south  a small 
stream  called  Plum  Run.  Across  and  to  the  east  of  the  Run 
rise  the  precipitous  sides  of  the  two  Round  Tops.  On  the 
right  of  the  battery  and  extending  through  the  timber  to  the 
Wheatfield  were  the  124th  and  86th  N.  Y.,  the  20th  Ind.  and 
99th  Pa.  in  the  order  named,  the  direction  of  the  line  trending 
towards  the  Peach  Orchard.  The  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters, 
also  of  Ward’s  brigade,  were  thrown  forward  as  skirmishers 
about  one-third  of  a mile  in  advance  beyond  Devil’s  Den  in  a 
southerly  direction. 

Hood’s  division  of  Longstreet’s  corps  had  been  creeping 
upon  concealed  roads  southward  out  beyond  the  left  of  our  lines 
that  occupied  a section  of  the  Emmitsburg  road,  and  had  at 
length  advanced  to  that  road  beyond  the  Union  pickets,  in  a 
wood  behind  a ridge,  at  a point  about  1,300  yards  south  from 

(a)  There  is  some  disparity  in  the  several  sources  of  evidence  as  to  the  exact 
time  when  the  Fourth  was  relieved  at  the  picket  line. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


161 


the  Peach  Orchard  and  about  the  same  distance  westerly  from 
Devil’s  Den. 

A group  of  signal  men  on  Little  Round  Top  had  detected 
the  enemy’s  movement  and  signaled  the  fact  to  Meade’s  head- 
quarters. Approaching  4 o’clock  Smith’s  battery  opened  fire 
into  the  woods  at  the  Emmitsburg  road,  quickly  receiving  a 
reply  from  some  batteries  pushed  out  on  a hillock  near  the  road. 
West  of  that  road,  along  a general  ridge  diverging  from  the 
road  as  it  extended  northward,  the  enemy’s  battalions  of  artil- 
lery were  admirably  posted,  and  some  of  them  joined  in  the 
opening  attack.  They  threw  shell  at  the  Devil’s  Den  position 
as  well  as  at  the  group  of  signal  men,  and  paid  their  respects 
to  the  Peach  Orchard  batteries,  not  overlooking  Winslow’s  bat- 
tery in  the  Wheatfield, — light  twelves,  — not  very  effective  in 
reply  at  that  range.  There  was  no  longer  doubt  where  the 
heavy  hand  of  battle  would  fall.  The  audacious  advance  of 
Sickles  brought  upon  his  thin,  extended  lines  the  first  and  most 
furious  attack  of  the  enemy. 

It  was  about  4 o’clock  when  the  soldiers  of  Ward’s  right, 
looking  in  the  direction  of  the  Emmitsburg  road,  saw  clouds  of 
Confederate  skirmishers  emerge  from  the  woods,  followed  by 
heavy  lines  of  infantry.  They  were  Robertson’s  and  Law’s 
brigades  of  Hood’s  division,  and,  as  they  came  on  " in  line  and 
en  masse , yelling  and  shouting,”  as  General  Ward  described  it 
in  his  official  report,  in  1863,  with  the  memories  of  the  day 
fresh  in  his  mind,  they  were  opening  the  second  day  of  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg.  On  Robertson’s  right,  moving  directly 
towards  Round  Top,  Law’s  Alabama  brigade  advanced,  but 
more  silently.  The  position  at  Devil’s  Den  had  been  pointed 
out  to  the  subordinates  of  Longstreet  as  first  to  be  attacked  and 
carried.  Doubtless  it  appeared  to  Longstreet  to  be  the  left  of 
the  Union  line,  and  indeed  it  was  at  that  hour. 

But  General  Hood  had  discovered  the  importance  of  Little 
Round  Top,  and  sent  Law’s  Alabama  brigade,  with  which  the 
changes  of  the  advance  associated  two  regiments  of  Robertson’s 
Texans,  to  pass  around  Devil’s  Den,  scale  the  heights  and 
attempt  the  seizure  of  Little  Round  Top.  By  order  of  his  supe- 
rior officer,  but  contrary  to  the  judgment  of  Colonel  Walker, 


162 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  Fourth  Maine  was  moved  from  its  position  in  the  rear  of 
the  battery  to  the  left,  and  extended  across  the  gorge  of  Plum 
Run  in  such  a way  as  to  defend  Ward’s  left  flank  and  rear,  and 
in  a measure  the  approaches  to  Little  Round  Top.  When  the 
exigency  of  the  contest  demanded  it  Ward  gave  a further  sup- 
port to  the  battery  position  with  the  99th  Pa.,  taken  from  his 
right.  The  battle  now  began  with  Ward’s  line,  directly  against 
which  the  two  remaining  regiments  of  Robertson  — 1st  Texas 
and  3d  Arkansas  — advanced  under  Robertson’s  immediate  com- 
mand. The  attack  was  fierce,  and  the  first  struggle  for  posses- 
sion of  the  battery  was  chiefly  between  the  1st  Texas  and  the 
124th  New  York,  the  latter  seconded  by  the  86th  New  York. 
About  this  time  Ward’s  line  was  reinforced  upon  its  right  flank 
by  the  coming-in  of  the  Seventeenth  Maine  to  the  south  edge 
of  the  Wheatfield,  which  struck  the  3d  Arkansas  and  diverted 
it  from  the  attack  upon  the  battery,  at  the  same  time  menacing 
the  left  flank  of  Robertson,  who  fell  back  a short  distance  with- 
out securing  the  coveted  prize. 

Robertson’s  next  attack  with  his  two  regiments  was  directed 
more  upon  the  right  of  Ward’s  line  in  an  attempt  to  outflank 
him,  which  was  spiritedly  made  but  steadfastly  resisted  during 
a prolonged  contest,  ending  by  Robertson  falling  back  again. 
In  these  first  two  attacks  the  Fourth  Maine  had  taken  no  part 
except  by  about  70  men,  with  3 officers,  whom  Colonel  Walker 
had  deployed  south  of  Devil’s  Den  as  skirmishers  ; these  men, 
reinforced  to  some  extent  by  the  retiring  U.  S.  Sharpshooters 
and  the  skirmishers  of  other  regiments  of  Ward,  had  caused  the 
on-coming  Confederates  much  annoyance  and  delay,  besides  quite 
a loss,  as  the  latter  were  taken  in  flank  on  their  first  advance ; 
these  skirmishers  were  in  fact  one  of  the  causes  of  the  separation 
of  Robertson’s  brigade  into  two  parts,  (a)  and  the  detour  made 
by  Law’s  troops  in  getting  to  Little  Round  Top.  These  skir- 
mishers held  their  ground  while  Robertson  attempted  the  battery 
position,  and  until  at  a later  time  wheti  Benning  came  in,  which 
will  be  seen  further  on. 

Meanwhile,  Hood  being  wounded,  the  command  of  his  divi- 
sion fell  to  General  Law,  who  with  his  brigade  was  moving  upon 
Little  Round  Top.  Finding  as  he  advanced  beyond  the  Plum 

(a)  Official  report  of  Major  Bane,  4th  Tex.,  Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  44,  p.  401. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


163 


Run  valley  that  insufficient  strength  was  exerted  against  the 
Smith  battery  position  to  capture  it,  Law  detached  two  regi- 
ments from  his  extreme  right,  the  44th  and  48th  Alabama,  and 
directed  them  to  move  across  to  the  left  and  attack  the  battery 
in  reverse.  Following  out  these  instructions,  the  two  regiments 
moved  by  their  left  flank  to  a point  about  two  hundred  yards 
from  Devil’s  Den  on  its  easterly  approach,  halting  there  in  the 
thin  growth  which  fringed  Plum  Run  and  in  view  of  the  Fourth 
Maine.  Here  the  two  Alabama  regiments  were  swung  into 
line  facing  the  gorge.  The  44th  Alabama,  being  immediately 
opposed  to  the  position  taken  by  the  Fourth  Maine,  became  at 
once  the  particular  antagonist  of  the  latter.  (See  diagrams  on 
pages  251  and  194.) 

The  48th  Alabama,  advancing  northerly  along  the  sloping 
side  of  Little  Round  Top,  parallel  with  Plum  Run,  passed  the 
position  of  the  Fourth  Maine  after  exchanging  a few  compli- 
ments, and  presently  had  a duel  with  the  40th  New  York. 
When  the  Fourth  Maine  first  stretched  across  the  Plum  Run 
gorge  there  were  no  Union  troops  on  Little  Round  Top. 
Colonel  Walker,  mindful  of  his  left  flank,  sent  out  some  skir- 
mishers into  the  woods  on  the  slope,  but  before  they  met  the 
advancing  enemy,  Vincent  had  arrived  upon  the  crest  and  the 
skirmishers  of  his  83d  Penn.,  16th  Mich.,  and  44th  N.  Y.  reg- 
iments advanced  down  the  hill ; this  advance  of  skirmishers, 
immediately  engaging  those  of  Law,  induced  Walker  to  believe 
a line  of  battle  would  follow  to  connect  with  him  on  his  left, 
and  so  he  drew  in  his  flankers.  The  4th  Alabama  of  Law  and 
the  4th  and  5th  Texas  of  Robertson  passed  up  Little  Round 
Top  in  their  circling  advance  ; and  the  47th  and  15th  Alabama 
up  the  slope  of  Big  Round  Top.  The  firing  began  on  the  slopes 
of  Little  Round  Top  fifty  rods  or  so  to  the  left  and  rear  of  the 
Fourth  Maine,  which,  posted  in  the  valley,  had  not  yet  fired  a 
shot.  It  was  now  nearly  5 o’clock,  perhaps  nearer  4.45,  when 
in  the  edge  of  the  wood  of  small  pines  appeared  the  44th  Ala- 
bama, its  right  upon  the  flank  of  Colonel  Walker  and  uncom- 
fortably near  ; the  latter  immediately  opened  a destructive  fire 
upon  the  enemy  while  he  was  forming  his  lines,  and  at  the  same 
time  arranged  the  Fourth  Maine  as  well  as  possible  to  confront 


164 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  advancing  line,  making  use  of  the  bowlders,  which  sprinkled 
the  ground,  as  much  as  circumstances  permitted.  The  Alabam- 
ians came  on  in  a truly  heroic  manner,  but  were  met  with  equal 
firmness  by  the  Maine  men,  although  the  latter  were  much  less 
in  numbers.  The  advance  was  checked  and  they  soon  gave  it 
up,  retiring  into  the  woods,  where  they  were  completely  con- 
cealed behind  trees  and  rocks.  From  behind  these  natural 
protections  they  kept  up  a biting  musketry  fire  upon  Walker’s 
men,  who  in  the  open  valley  were  placed  at  great  disadvantage 
and  suffered  large  loss  (a) . 

It  was  now  past  5 o’clock.  The  two  contending  forces  were 
in  a close  grapple,  extending  from  the  left  of  the  Union  line,  — 
which  now  was  Vincent’s  spur  on  Little  Round  Top  occupied 
by  the  Twentieth  Maine,  — around  its  south  crest  to  Plum  Run 
and  thence  southerly  to  Devil’s  Den  ; and  on  the  other  side  of  the 
battery  ridge  Robertson’s  line  had  been  prolonged  westward 
by  Anderson’s  Georgia  brigade  about  half  the  distance  to  the 
Emmitsburg  road.  The  whole  line  was  alive  with  burning 
powder.  Smith’s  battery,  at  Devil’s  Den,  was  abandoned  by 
orders  of  its  captain.  The  other  section  of  the  battery,  located 
up  the  valley  northerly  some  distance,  was  now  manned  for 
action.  All  the  desperate  efforts  so  far  made,  from  both  sides 
of  this  flat-iron-shaped  position,  where  the  field  pieces  rested, 
to  capture  it  had  proved  futile.  Robertson  was  desperately 
anxious  to  take  those  guns,  and  finding  that  Benning’s  brigade 
of  four  Georgia  regiments  was  nearly  in  his  rear,  as  a support 
to  the  right  of  their  lines,  he  asked  Benning  to  help  him. 
Benning  had  intended  to  support  Law’s  brigade,  and  supposed 
the  troops  contesting  with  Ward  to  be  Law’s,  not  distinguish- 
ing them  in  the  wooded  lands.  This  error  on  his  part,  pos- 
sibly, saved  the  crest  of  Little  Round  Top  from  capture. 
Perhaps  it  seemed  important  to  the  Confederates  to  wrest 
this  ridge  from  our  troops  in  order  to  protect  their  own  at 

(a)  Colonel  Walker  has  recently  requested  the  Commissioners  of  the 
Gettysburg  National  Park  to  move  the  flanking  stones  marking  the  direction 
of  his  line  at  this  period.  The  position  of  these  stones  as  found  Sept.  21, 
1897,  would  make  the  Fourth  Maine  face  the  Smith-battery  position;  whereas, 
as  he  stated  to  the  Commissioners,  at  date  named,  upon  the  ground,  his  line 
faced  a quarter-circle  to  the  left  of  this;  that  he  met  the  44th  Ala.  in  his 
front,  at  first  a little  upon  his  left  flank,  and  that  his  line  if  prolonged  to  the 
left  would  strike  upon  Little  Round  Top.  Stakes  were  then  driven  into  the 
ground  to  mark  the  corrected  places  for  the  stones. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


165 


our  left  rear  on  Little  Round  Top  from  being  surrounded  and 
captured  by  an  attack  from  their  rear,  as  was  easily  feasible  by 
an  enterprising  general  with  a smart  brigade,  so  long  as  they 
were  only  protected  by  two  regiments,  the  44th  and  48th  Ala- 
bama. The  Confederates  also  desired  to  secure  possession  of 
a stone-fence  which  starts  at  the  summit  of  this  ridge  near  the 
battery,  and  runs  westerly,  affording  a complete  curtain  and 
breastwork  to  hold  that  ground  and  dominate  the  woods  in 
front  to  the  Wheat-field.  (See  diagram  on  page  194.)  Robert- 
son had  twice  essayed  to  seize  and  hold  this  fence  without  suc- 
cess. After  the  second  attempt,  General  Ward  advanced  his 
centre  and  right  to  take  possession  of  it ; (a)  this  occurred  just 
as  Benning  was  also  advancing. 

Without  delay  Benning  had  formed  his  brigade  in  a line 
east  and  west,  perpendicular  to  the  trend  of  the  ridge,  and 
moved  forward,  his  left  centre  regiment  aiming  directly  at  the 
battery  position,  the  right  centre  regiment  having  Devil’s  Den 
in  its  course,  and  the  regiment  on  the  right  of  that  moving  up 
Plum  Run.  Benning’s  left  regiment  as  it  advanced  mingled 
with  the  1st  Texas  of  Robertson  and  they  became  amalgamated. 
As  his  lines,  advancing  through  the  Growth  that  fringed  the 
stream,  emerged  into  view,  they  were  subjected  to  a plunging 
shell  fire  from  Hazlett’s  battery  of  10-pounder  rifles  placed  on 
the  summit  of  Little  Round  Top.  This  battery  played  an 
effective  part  in  the  struggle,  both  against  Longstreet’s  guns 
at  the  Emmitsburg  road  and  with  its  sweeping  fire  down  the 
slopes,  searching  out  the  recesses  where  troops  were  ambushed, 
and  demoralizing  their  charges.  The  44th  Alabama  had  felt 
its  power,  and,  until  night  closed,  this  battery  and  its  infantiy 
supports  on  the  crest  completely  dominated  the  southerly  end 
of  the  gorge  and  the  ridge  near  Devil’s  Den.  Benning’s  rein- 
forcement to  Robertson  for  attack,  moving  directly  upon  the 
point,  thus  taking  both  sides  of  the  line  of  Ward  in  flank,  must 
in  the  end  be  irresistible  to  the  small  and  decimated  regiments 
arraying  themselves  to  meet  it.  As  Benning  advanced,  the  two 
wings  of  his  brigade  converged  somewhat  towards  Smith’s  bat- 
tery.  Taken  unawares,  the  skirmishers  of  the  Fourth  Maine 
and  other  regiments,  being  virtually  surrounded  while  hotly 

(a)  Official  Report  of  General  Ward.  — Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  43,  page  493. 


166 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


contesting  the  advance  on  the  Den  from  one  direction,  were 
scooped  up  by  Benning  as  prisoners.  The  44th  Alabama,  seeing 
the  column  of  Benning  coming  up  the  Run  and  through  the 
rough  fastness  of  Devil’s  Den,  at  once  came  forth  to  join  in  the 
fray.  The  Fourth  Maine  gallantly  held  them  at  bay,  but  in 
conjunction  with  this  overwhelming  force  at  his  front,  Colonel 
W alker  became  at  length  aware  that  others  had  advanced  as  far 
as  his  right  flank,  close  up  to  the  abandoned  guns  of  Smith. 
What  followed  is  well  described  by  Colonel  Walker  himself  in 
his  address  at  the  dedication  of  the  monument,  given  on  another 


page. 

The  experienced  eye  of  Colonel  Walker  at  once  convinced 
him  that  the  key  to  the  whole  position  rested  at  the  battery, 
although  the  possession  of  the  guns  themselves  amounted  to 
nothing ; it  formed  the  sharp  angle  to  Ward’s  line,  and  once  in 
the  possession  of  the  enemy  he  could  rake  the  line  of  Ward,  as 
first  established,  its  entire  length,  and  destroy  the  organizations 
that  were  attending  to  the  advance  of  Anderson  towards  their 
front.  Without  hesitation  Walker  drew  his  small  remaining 
force  from  the  nest  of  bowlders  in  the  gorge,  hastily  got  it  into 
line  and  charged  homenvith  the  bayonet  upon  Benning’s  men, 
who  had  entered  the  battery,  and  drove  them  out  in  a fierce 
encounter.  Assisted  by  the  99th  Penn,  (a)  in  keeping  off 
the  Confederates  from  the  gorge  side  of  the  hill,  and  by  the 
124th  N.  Y.  on  his  right,  he  succeeded  in  repelling  repeated 
assaults  in  a hand-to-hand  contest  for  some  considerable  time, 
which  enabled  Ward  to  arrange  the  6th  N.  J.,  (b)  and  40th 
N.  Y.  regiments,  that  had  been  brought  in  to  his  left  rear  in 
Plum  Run  valley,  so  that  a withdrawal  of  the  brigade  could  be 
safely  effected,  its  thrust-out  angle  being  no  longer  of  impor- 
tance as  a tactical  point.  Colonel  Walker  claims  with  good 
reason,  that  after  he  recaptured  the  battery  its  guns  might 

(a)  Major  Moore,  commanding  the  99th  Penn.,  in  his  official  report  of  the  battle 
says:  “*  * * the  engagement  became  very  general  with  the  enemy,  who  was 
throwing  a large  force  against  our  brigade  in  hopes  of  breaking  through  our  lines. 
I was  now  ordered  by  General  Ward  to  march  my  regiment  double-quick  from  the 
right  to  the  left  of  the  brigade.  This  movement  rapidly  executed  placed  my  com- 
mand on  the  brow  of  a hill  overlooking  a deep  ravine,  interspersed  with  large  bowl- 
ders of  rock.  Here  the  conflict  was  fierce.  I held  my  position  for  over  thirty  min- 
utes * * See  Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  43,  page  613. 

(b)  The  regiment  commanded  by  Lieut. -Col.  Gilkyson  with  others  of  the  Third, 
or  Jersey,  brigade  of  the  Second  division  had  been  sent  by  General  Humphreys, 
under  orders  of  General  Sickles,  to  the  support  of  the  First  division,  and  was  made 
subject  to  the  orders  of  General  Birney.  — Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  43,  page  634. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


167 


have  been  used  safely  and  effectively  in  defending  that  position. 

The  Fourth  Maine  and  the  brigade  retired  by  order  of  Gen- 
eral Ward.  After  safely  reaching  the  rear  the  command  was 
turned  over  to  Capt.  Edwin  Libby,  the  wound  of  the  Colonel 
proving  very  severe.  The  retirement  of  the  brigade  from  this 
advanced  position,  probably  after  6 o’clock  p.  m.,  was  not  fol- 
lowed up  by  the  enemy  beyond  the  stone  fence,  and  about  the 
same  time  Cross’  brigade  of  Caldwell’s  division  of  the  Second 
corps  advanced  into  the  woods  where  the  right  of  Ward  had 
rested.  This  ended  the  fighting  of  the  Fourth  Maine  on  July 
second. 

July  third  the  regiment  was  with  the  brigade  in  reserve. 
At  the  crisis  of  the  assault  upon  our  lines  in  the  afternoon  the 
regiment,  together  with  the  Third  Maine,  99th  Penn.,  and  20th 
Ind.,  all  under  Col.  Lakeman,  were  hurriedly  moved  to  the 
right  to  the  support  of  the  Second  division,  Second  corps,  and 
were  ordered  into  a position  in  rear  of  a battery  at  that  point. 
The  enemy,  however,  had  just  been  repulsed,  and  the  regiment 
was  not  actively  engaged.  It  remained  here  during  the  night, 
and  early  July  fourth  was  advanced  to  the  front  on  the  skirmish 
line,  having  two  men  wounded. 

The  regiment’s  entire  loss  was,  killed  and  mortally  wounded, 
4 officers,  19  men ; wounded  (not  mortally),  1 officer,  43  men ; 
missing  and  prisoners,  4 officers,  69  men. 


A MARKER 

to  denote  the  position  of  the  Fourth  Maine  when  in  support  of  the  Second 
corps,  afternoon  of  July  3d,  at  close  of  the  enemy’s  assault,  stands  upon  the 
east  side  of  Hancock  avenue  in  an  easterly  direction  from  “ High  Water 
Mark  ” monument.  It  is  cut  from  Maine  granite,  adorned  with  a red  granite 
diamond,  and  has  the  following  inscription: 

4th  Maine  Eegiment 
July  3 in  Support  here 
Captain  Edwin  Libby 
In  Command. 

July  2 Engaged  at  Devil’s  Den 
Colonel  Elijah  Walker 
In  command,  wounded. 


168 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


PARTICIPANTS. 


FIELD,  STAFF,  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 


Colonel,  Elijah  Walker,  Rockland. 

Major,  Ebenezer  Whitcomb,  Searsport. 

Adjutant,  Charles  F.  Sawyer,  Rockland. 

Quartermaster,  Isaac  C.  Abbott,  Rockland. 

Surgeon,  Seth  C.  Hunkins,  Windham. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Albion  Cobb,  Otisfield. 

Sergeant-Major,  William  H.  Gardner,  Belfast. 

Hospital  Steward,  Samuel  S.  Hersey,  Belfast. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Henry  C.  Tibbetts,  Rockland. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Lemuel  C.  Grant,  Frankfort. 
Drum-major,  FredJ.  Low,  Winterport. 

Fife-major,  John  F.  Singhi,  Rockland,  leader  division  band. 


Company  A. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Andrew  J.  Gray,  Montville. 

SERGEANTS. 

Marcian  W.  McManus,  Unity, 

Henry  W.  Ladd,  Searsmont, 


Joseph  P.  Libby,  Unity, 
Michael  Dorsey,  Bangor, 
James  Gall,  Searsmont, 


Allenwood,  Ephraim  F.,  Belmont, 
Buker,  Alpha,  Ellsworth, 

Colly,  James  M.,  Belfast, 

Curtis,  Stephen  O.,  Monroe, 

Doten,  Charles,  Freedom, 

Hall,  Henry  C.,  Belmont, 

Hatch,  Hiram  H.,  Lincoln, 

Lincoln,  Llewellyn,  Searsmont, 
Nichols,  Melvin,  Bangor, 

Philbrick,  Benjamin  F.,  Rockland, 
Russ,  George  A.,  Belfast, 

Sweeney,  Dennis,  Belfast, 

Sylvester,  Sanford  B.,  Lincolnville. 


Thomas  H.  Gurney,  Waldo, 
Tolford  Durham,  Waldo. 
corporals. 

Timothy  W.  Abbot,  Freedom, 
Jerry  Denning,  Bangor, 

Horace  Speed,  Pittsfield. 

PRIVATES. 

Bryant,  Demetrius  J.,  Montville, 
Cooley,  Melvin,  St.  Albans, 
Crosby,  William,  Rockland, 
Daggett,  Stephen,  Liberty, 

Flye,  Daniel  D.,  Unity, 

Hatch,  Sylvanus,  Lincoln,. 

Law,  Melvin,  Union, 

Lord,  Augustus  S.,  Belfast, 
Ordway,  Lewis,  Belmont, 

Piper,  Albert,  Waldo, 
Sidelinger,  Manuel,  Union, 
Sylvester,  George  W.,  Belfast, 


Walker,  Andrew  P.,  Belmont, 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  John  B.  Smith,  Burnham, 
brig,  h’dqrs.;  E.  W.  Stinson,  Oldtown,  div.  h’dqrs.;  Eben  M.  Sanborn, 
Belfast,  amb.  corps.  Musician,  William  H.  Clifford,  St.  Albans,  amb.  corps. 


Company  B. 

Captain,  J.  B.  Litchfield,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Arthur  Libby,  Rockland. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Havillah  Pease,  Rockland, 

Henry  O.  Ripley,  Rockland,  color  bearer,  Edgar  L.  Mowry,  Rockland. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


169 


CORPORALS. 

Thaddeus  S.  Pillsbury,  Rockland, 
Wyman  W.  Ulmer,  Rockland, 
Charles  W.  Hopkins,  Bangor. 
PRIVATES. 

Dow,  Dana  Y.,  Thomaston, 

Goodwin,  Albert,  Monson, 

Kallock,  JohnJ.,  Rockland, 

Norris,  Daniel  C.,  Pt.  Tobacco, 
Spear,  Josiah  C.,  Rockland, 

Simmons,  Hanson  B.,  Rockland, 
Titus,  John  W.,  Rockland, 

Turner,  Charles  A.,  North  Haven, 
Willis,  Aruna,  Rockland, 

Waterman,  Edward  K.,  North  Haven. 


Otis  G.  Spear,  Rockland, 

Henry  T.  Mitchell,  Rockland, 

George  E.  Wall,  Rockland, 

Bigdoll,  Ellis,  Dedham, 

Gardner,  Andrew  J.,  Lincoln, 

Grant,  Robert,  Bangor, 

Maguire,  Edward  C.,  Glenbum, 

Philbrook,  Levi  A.,  Thomaston, 

Stetson,  George  F.,  Rockland, 

Taylor  George  F.,  Rockland, 

Totman,  Samuel  S.,  Rockland, 

Ulmer,  Alonzo  N.,  Rockland, 

Wooster,  Alden  F.,  Rockland, 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  James  W.  Clark,  Rock- 
land, and  Morton  A.  Blackington,  Rockland,  brig,  h’dqrs.  team;  Charles 
E.  Gove,  Union,  and  H.  J.  Dow,  Rockland,  div.  h’dqrs.  guard;  G.  H. 
Tighe,  Rockland,  ambulance  corps. 

Company  C. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Conant,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  R.  Conant,  Rockland. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Kendall  K.  Rankin,  Rockland, 

Charles  H.  Miller,  Rockland,  Rufus  O.  Fales,  Thomaston. 

CORPORALS. 

Warren  W.  Austin,  Thomaston,  John  Colburn,  Rockland, 

George  G.  Gardiner,  Camden. 

PRIVATES. 

Butler,  Ephraim  K.,  Thomaston, 


Cain,  James  A.,  Palermo, 
Caswell,  William,  Warren, 
Cunningham,  Austin,  Warren, 
Knight,  Francis  E.,  Jefferson, 
Martin,  Patrick,  Jefferson, 
Pottle,  Andrew,  Rockland, 


Brown,  James  M.,  Thomaston, 

Brown,  Orlando  F.,  Rockland, 

Collins,  William  J.,  Camden, 

Cunningham,  Alfred  W.,  Jefferson, 

Cain,  James  A.,  Palermo, 

Kellar.  Thomas,  Rockland, 

Perry,  Charles  C.,  Rockland, 

Snowdeal,  Thomas  E.,  S.  Thomaston,  Walker,  John  F.,  Rockland, 

Walter,  Benjamin  F.,  Warren,  Wade,  Edwin,  Rockland. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeants:  John  H. 
Young,  Rockland,  Ord.  Sergt.  ammunition  train;  E.  S.  Rogers,  Rockland, 
div.  prov.  guard.  Privates:  Leonard  C.  Rankin,  Rockland,  B.  F.  Palmer, 
Thomaston,  and  A.  Shepherd,  Jefferson,  div.  prov.  guard;  Alden  Crockett, 
Rockland,  charge  of  div.  supply  train;  Horatio  G.  Collins,  Rockland,  J.  G. 
Whitney,  Rockland,  James  F.  Tuttle,  Rockland,  G.  A.  Staples,  Rockland, 
and  O.  F.  Brown,  Rockland,  in  div.  supply  train;  James  Bolcomb,  Thomas- 
ton, brig,  wagon-master;  Nathaniel  C.  Matthews,  Rockland,  and  Rufus 
Robbins,  Rockland,  brig,  train;  Jacob  Winslow,  Rockland,  amb.  team; 
Walter  Sutherland,  Rockland,  brig.  cook. 

Company  D. 

Captain,  Edwin  Libby,  Rockland. 

Lieutenant,  George  R.  Abbott,  Thomaston. 


170 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  James  McLaughlin,  Rockland, 

William  Fountain,  Rockland,  Samuel  L.  Meservey,  Rockland, 

CORPORALS. 


John  Witham,  Washington, 
William  Perkins,  Thomaston, 

Clark,  Abial  B.,  Jefferson, 

Clark,  Joseph  E.,  Northport, 
Davis,  Charles  A.,  Rockland, 
Fields,  Anthony,  Washington, 
Hodges,  Charles,  Gardiner, 
Marshall,  Henry  P.,  Ruperts, 
Morrissey,  John,  Rockland, 
Pushor,  Eben  E.,  Pittsfield, 
Shepherd,  Almon,  Jefferson, 
Townsend,  Appleton,  Somerville, 
Trim,  Joseph  O.,  Camden, 


Levi  G.  Perry,  Rockland, 

Edward  Hall,  Rockland. 
PRIVATES. 

Clark,  John  M.,  Belmont, 
Cunningham,  Jacob  C.,  Rockland, 
Eaton,  Isaiah  V.,  Deer  Isle, 

Gray,  John  S.,  Deer  Isle, 

Joy,  Edward  H.,  Washington, 
Martin,  Christopher,  Hope, 
Peasly,  George,  Somerville, 
Richards,  Horatio,  Rockland, 
Stickney,  Alonzo  H.,  Belfast, 
Taylor,  Simon,  Rockland, 

Watson,  Jerome,  Union. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant,  Allen  P.  Far- 
rington, Rockland,  brig,  blacksmith.  Privates:  Mark  Perry,  Rockland, 
charge  of  amb.  train;  Joseph  Thompson,  Rockland,  Charles  P.  Burns, 
Rockland,  and  Elias  Davis,  Warren,  brig,  teamsters;  John  Miller,  Rock- 
land, div.  prov.  guard;  Joseph  Dunbar,  Deer  Isle,  amb.  corps;  John  R. 
Chase,  Swanville,  butcher. 

Company  E. 

First  Lieutenant,  Jason  Carlisle,  Boothbay. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  S.  McCobb,  Boothbay. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Artemas  Robinson,  Damariscotta, 

Thomas  B.  Campbell,  Thomaston,  Zuinglas  C.  Gowan,  Nobleboro. 

• corporals. 

Nathaniel  B.  Waters,  Newcastle,  Francis  K.  Chapman,  Nobleboro, 

Ira  A.  Waltz,  Damariscotta,  Willard  T.  Barstow,  Damariscotta, 

William  B.  Perkins,  Newcastle,  John  P.  Blake,  Boothbay. 

privates. 

Bryer,  Albert  W.,  Boothbay,  Chapman,  Charles  K.,  Newcastle, 

Chapman,  Everett  B.,  Nobleboro,  Corey,  John  K.,  Boothbay, 


Fountain,  Isaac  W.,  Bristol, 
Gove,  Oscar  C.,  Newcastle, 

Hall,  Harlow  M.,  Waldoboro, 
Hodgkins,  James  H.,  Nobleboro, 
Lailer,  Frank  H.,  Bristol, 
Perkins,  Thomas  R.,  Newcastle, 
Smith,  William  M.,  Boothbay, 
Turner,  Charles  C.,  Bremen. 


Giles,  Harvey  H.,  Boothbay, 

Hall,  Almond,  Newcastle, 

Hatch,  Moses  W.,  Newcastle, 
Kinney,  Jesse  S.,  Newcastle, 
Mears,  Joseph  E.,  Bristol, 

Skinner,  John  R.,  Damariscotta, 
Thompson,  John  L.,  Damariscotta, 
Waters,  Isaac  T.,  Newcastle. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  W.  M.  Hathorn,  Thomas- 
ton, D.  E.  Gammage,  Damariscotta,  and  E.  G.  Snow,  Nobleboro,  div. 
prov.  guard;  John  W.  Lamour,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  Lucius  B.  Varney, 
Bristol,  amb.  corps. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


171 


Company  F. 

Captain,  George  G.  Davis,  Brooks. 

First  Lieutenant,  Solomon  S.  Stearns,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  M.  Bragg,  Lincolnville,  commanding  Co.  K. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Albert  H.  Rose,  Brooks, 


Henry  Leach,  Knox, 

Hiram  G.  York,  Dixmont, 

Charles  B.  Parsons,  Newburg, 
Rufus  G.  Bickford,  Bangor, 
Freeman  M.  Roberts,  Jackson, 

Barlow,  Elisha  J.,  Knox, 

Crocker,  Albert  D.,  Dixmont, 
Forbes,  Francis  M.,  Brooks, 

Hall,  Harrison,  Troy, 

Hollis,  James  M.,  Thorndike, 
Nickerson,  Daniel  C.,  Swanville, 
Patterson,  Nathan,  Belmont, 
Piper,  Enoch  F.,  Newburg, 
Rowe,  Frank,  Jr.,  Brooks, 

Stone,  John  F.,  Dixmont, 
Whitcomb,  Thomas  O.,  Knox, 


Francis  O.  J.  S.  Hill,  Newburg, 
Joseph  G.  Hilt,  Lincolnville. 
CORPORALS. 

Winthrop  H.  Chick,  Dixmont, 
William  C.  Rowe,  Monroe, 

George  R.  Hall,  Brooks. 

PRIVATES. 

Condon,  Albert  J.,  Dixmont, 
Evans,  Amos,  Brooks, 

Gardiner,  John  H.,  Brooks, 

Hines,  James  H.,  Unity, 

Jackson,  Edward  W.,  Washington, 
Overlook,  Warren,  Liberty, 

Pierce,  Daniel,  Jr.,  Monroe, 

Rowell,  Charles  H.,  Montville, 
Shepherd,  John  J.,  Appleton, 
Tasker,  Ephraim  D.,  Dixmont, 
Wood,  Charles  A.,  Belfast. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  E.  H.  Bean,  Hampden, 
orderly  div.  h’dqrs.;  Robert  Waterman,  Jr.,  Montville,  and  Freeman  Jones, 
Washington,  hosp.  attendants. 

Company  G. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  A.  Barker,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  L.  Crockett,  Wiscasset. 

Sergeant,  James  T.  McKenney,  Wiscasset. 

CORPORALS. 

John  R.  Rittal,  Dresden,  Bradford  Lowell,  Wiscasset, 

Crosby  R.  Brookings,  Wiscasset,  Nathaniel  Stewart,  Dresden. 

PRIVATES. 


Blinn,  Bradford  H.,  Wiscasset, 
Erskine,  Joseph,  Wiscasset, 
Howard,  Daniel  O.,  Aina, 
Howard,  Leander,  Washington, 
Light,  Elwell,  Washington, 
Munsey,  William,  Wiscasset, 
Nute,  Alexander,  Wiscasset, 
Piper,  James  R.,  Belmont, 
Seavey,  William,  Wiscasset, 
Tibbetts,  George,  Wiscasset, 


Call,  Timothy,  Dresden, 
Fredson,  Peter,  Jr.,  Wiscasset, 
Howard,  Elijah,  Washington, 
Jones,  Leonard,  Washington, 
McCorrison,  Thomas  J.,  Knox, 
Nelson,  Joseph,  Washington, 
Overlock,  Eben,  Washington, 
Rittal,  James  F.,  Dresden, 
Stewart,  Thomas,  Dresden, 


Young,  Zealor  W.,  Searsmont. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Onesimus  Clark,  Aina, 
regt.  hosp.;  John  Downey,  Wiscasset,  and  John  B.  Carlton,  Woolwich,  with 
trains. 

Company  H. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Nathaniel  A.  Robbins,  Union. 


172 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Francis  P.  Ingalls,  Bluehill, 


Joseph  B.  Babson,  Brooklin, 

Daniel  W.  Barker,  Levant, 
Horace  C.  Clough,  Rockland, 
William  H.  Tripp,  Sedgwick. 


George  P.  Wood,  Penobscot. 
CORPORALS. 

John  H.  Thomas,  Warren, 

J ared  R.  Reed,  Mt.  Desert, 


Allen,  Charles  W.,  Sedgwick, 
Brackett,  Charles  W.,  Belfast, 
Carter,  Edwin  J.,  Sedgwick, 
Crowley,  Patrick,  Rockland, 
Farnham,  Joseph  E.,  Knox, 
Gilmore,  William  D.,  Hope, 
Higgins,  Simon,  Tremont, 

Jones,  Silas  S.,  Lincolnville, 
McMahan,  Daniel,  Prospect, 
Mink,  Edwin,  Waldoboro, 

Page,  Amos,  Kenduskeag, 
Saunders,  Thomas  C.,  Rockland 
Simmons,  William  H.,  Union, 


PRIVATES. 

Ames,  George  L.,  Camden, 
Blackington,  Alfred,  Thomaston, 
Cox,  George,  Bangor, 

Downes,  Samuel  N.,  Winterport, 
Furbish,  Abram  J.,  Rockland, 
Grindle,  Elijah  H.,  Penobscot, 
Jackson,  Joel,  Montville, 

Keefe,  John,  Thomaston, 

Moore,  Charles  F.  Knox, 
Noonan,  James,  Searsport, 

Rose,  Charles,  Bangor, 

Sherman,  Frank  A.,  Knox, 


Stahl,  Isaac,  Rockland, 

Wallace,  Alexander  M.,  Waldoboro,  Whitney,  Adolphus  M.,  Bangor, 
Young,  Harrison,  Searsmont,  Young,  Morrison,  Searsmont. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  James  W.  Page,  Sedg- 
wick, col.’s  regtl.  orderly;  Stillman  Mink,  Waldoboro,  brig,  teamster. 

Company  I. 

Captain,  Robert  H.  Gray,  Stockton. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Orpheus  Roberts,  Stockton. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Christopher  C.  Gray,  Stockton, 

Ivory  W.  Baird,  Camden,  Daniel  Carley,  Prospect, 

Abiather  S.  Merrithew,  Green  Isle. 

corporals. 

Clarendon  W.  Gray,  Stockton,  Elias  B.  Moore,  Frankfort, 

Moses  H.  Witham,  Plymouth. 

privates. 

Burgin,  Augustus,  Belfast,  Burgin,  Chesbrook,  Belfast, 

Calderwood,  Henry  D , Camden, 

Donahue,  John,  Bangor, 

Fillmore,  Richard  T.,  Swanville, 

Fowler,  John  C.,  Searsport, 

Kent,  Edward  E.,  Brewer, 

Parker,  Charles  P.,  St.  Albans, 

Phinney,  Charles  A.,  Winterport, 

Sidelinger,  Oliver  P.,  Troy, 

Small,  Samuel  D.,  Swanville, 

Staples,  Alvah,  Prospect, 

Whittam,  Clifton,  Searsport. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Benjamin  Nickerson, 
Eden,  with  Randolph’s  battery;  Robert  G.  Ames,  Searsport,  brig,  wagon- 


Chase,  Nathan,  Searsport, 
Doyle,  Thomas,  Searsport, 
Forbes,  Frank,  Vassalboro, 
Jellerson,  Lemuel  B.,  Frankfort, 
Millano,  Juan,  Plymouth, 
Pendleton,  Lewis  E.,  Frankfort, 
Rich,  Wesley,  Jackson, 
Sidelinger,  Rufus  P.,  Troy, 
Snow,  Benjamin  F.,  Orrington, 
Towers,  William  S.,  Searsport, 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


173 


master;  William  H.  Irving,  Vassalboro,  brig,  h’dqrs. ; Oscar  F.  Colson, 
Stockton,  brig.  hosp.  cook;  Prentice  Colson,  Frankfort,  and  Otis  Colson, 
Winterport,  brig.  hosp. 


Company  K. 

[Lieutenant  George  M.  Bragg,  of  Company  F,  in  command.] 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Amos  B.  Wooster,  Belfast, 


David  H.  Kimball,  Belfast, 

Sears  Nickerson,  Belfast, 

Elisha  Hanning,  Belfast, 

Dennis  Moody,  Monroe, 

Baker,  Edward,  Belfast, 

Collins,  Charles  C.,  Belfast, 
Gordon,  Ephraim  A.,  Frankfort, 
Herrin,  Andrew,  Augusta, 
Johnson,  George  F.,  Windham, 
Rariden,  Michael,  Belfast, 
Robinson,  John  A.,  Belfast, 
Sawyer,  John  K.,  Belfast, 

Ware,  Horace  L.,  Northport, 


John  A.  Toothaker,  Belfast. 
CORPORALS. 

Silas  M.  Perkins,  Belfast, 
James  E.  Doak,  Belfast, 

Henry  A.  Davis,  Belfast. 

PRIVATES. 

Carter,  Preston  J.,  Belfast, 
Deane,  James  E.,  Belfast, 
Hawkins,  Aurelius,  Waldo, 
Hilton,  Alvin,  Appleton, 
Merrick,  Isaiah  B.,  Newport, 
Ray,  Jacob  D.,  Knox, 

Rogers,  Frederick  H.,  Bangor, 
Shuman,  John  F.,  Belfast, 
Whitehead,  Robert,  Belfast, 


Woodbury,  William  H.,  Frankfort. 

Musicians,  Frederick  J.  Low',  Frankfort,  EleazerJ.  Young,  Lincolnville. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  John  A.  Rines,  Belfast, 
brig,  teamster;  A.  A.  Dailey,  Searsmont,  and  B.  F.  Young,  Lincolnville, 
amb.  corps;  E.  B.  Richards,  Lincolnville,  and  Samuel  Jackson,  Rockland, 
brig,  guard;  George  L.  Feyler,  Thomaston,  regt.  hostler. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 


FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel  Elijah  Walker,  wounded,  tendo  Achilles. 

Major  Ebenezer  Whitcomb,  wounded,  died  Oct.  5th. 

Sergeant-Major  William  H.  Gardner,  prisoner. 

Company  A. 

SERGEANTS. 

Marcian  W.  McManus,  prisoner.  Thomas  H.  Gurney,  prisoner. 
Henry  W.  Ladd,  leg  wounded.  Tolford  Durham,  prisoner. 

CORPORALS. 

Jerry  Denning,  wounded,  hip.  James  Gall,  wounded,  foot,  the  4th. 

PRIVATES. 

Allenwood,  Ephraim  F.,  w’d,  side.  Cooley,  Melvin,  prisoner. 


Crosby,  William,  prisoner. 

Flye,  Daniel  D.,  prisoner. 

Hatch,  Hiram  H.,  prisoner,  died. 
Lawr,  Melville,  prisoner. 

Sylvester,  George  W.,  pris’r,  died. 
Walker,  Andrew  P.,  wounded,  slight. 


Curtis,  Stephen  O.,  prisoner. 

Hall,  Henry  C.,  prisoner. 

Hatch,  Sylvanus,  prisoner,  died. 
Sw'eeney,  Dennis,  w’d,  hand,  the  4th. 
Sylvester,  Sanford  B.,  prisoner. 


174 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  B. 

Captain  J.  B.  Litchfield,  prisoner. 

CORPORALS. 

Wyman  W.  Ulmer,  wounded,  shoulder  and  breast. 

Henry  T.  Mitchell,  wounded,  prisoner;  died  in  Richmond  Dec.  17,  1863. 

PRIVATES. 

Stetson,  George  F.,  w’d,  shoulder  Simmons,  Hanson  B.,  wounded,  face. 

and  breast.  Turner,  Charles  A.,  wounded,  hand. 

Ulmer,  Alonzo  N.,  wounded,  face. 

Company  C. 

Sergeant  Rufus  O.  Fales,  prisoner,  died  in  Richmond,  Nov.  12,  1863. 

CORPORALS. 

John  Colburn,  wounded,  eye.  George  G.  Gardiner,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Brown,  James  M.,  prisoner.  Butler,  E.  K.,  prisoner. 

Caswell,  William,  prisoner,  died.  Collins,  William,  Jr.,  prisoner,  died. 
Cunningham,  Austin,  prisoner.  Kellar,  Thomas,  prisoner,  died. 

Martin,  Patrick,  wounded,  shoulder.  Pottle,  Andrew,  prisoner. 

Snowdeal,  Thomas  E.,  prisoner. 

Musician  Alfred  W.  Cunningham,  prisoner. 

Company  D. 

Corporal  John  Witham,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Clark,  John  M.,  wounded,  leg.  Davis,  Charles  A.,  wounded. 

Dunbar,  Joseph,  amb.  corps, w’d,  arm.  Eaton,  Isaiah  V.,  w’d,  died  in  July. 
Fields,  Anthony,  prisoner.  Gray,  John  S.,  wounded,  died  July  28. 

Hodges,  Charles,  prisoner.  Martin,  Christopher,  wounded,  hand. 

Peasly,  George,  prisoner,  died  in  Ga.  Richards,  Horatio,  pris’r,  died  in  Ga. 
Shepherd,  Almon,  wounded,  breast.  Stickney,  Alonzo  H.,  killed. 
Townsend,  Appleton, wounded,  pris’r.  Taylor,  Simon,  prisoner. 

Trim,  Joseph  O.,  wounded  leg.  Watson,  Jerome,  wounded,  face. 

Company  E. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  S.  McCobb,  killed. 

Sergeant  Zuinglas  C.  Gowan,  prisoner. 

CORPORALS. 

Ira  A.  Waltz,  prisoner.  Willard  T.  Barstow,w’d,  died  Aug.  28. 

William  B.  Perkins,  wounded,  leg.  John  P.  Blake,  wounded,  hand. 

PRIVATES. 

Hatch,  Moses  W.,  wounded,  arm.  Turner,  Charles  C.,  prisoner. 

Company  F. 

Captain  George  G.  Davis,  prisoner,  escaped  old  Libby  prison. 

First  Lieutenant  Solomon  S.  Stearns,  prisoner. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  M.  Bragg,  commanding  Co.  K,  w’d,  died  July  5. 
Sergeant  Henry  Leach,  prisoner. 

Corporal  William  C.  Rowe,  wounded,  side. 

PRIVATES. 

Bickford,  Rufus  G.,  prisoner.  Forbes,  Francis  M.,  prisoner. 

Gardiner,  John  H.,  prisoner.  Hall,  George  R.,  killed. 

Hall,  Harrison,  wounded.  Hollis,  James  M.,  prisoner;  died 

Nov.  27,  1863,  at  Richmond,  Va. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


175 


Nickerson,  Daniel  C.,  prisoner.  Overlook,  Warren,  wounded. 
Patterson,  Nathan,  prisoner.  Rowe,  Frank,  Jr.,  prisoner. 

Shepherd,  John  J.,  prisoner.  Stone,  John  F.,  wounded,  arm. 

Tasker,  Ephraim  D.,  prisoner.  Whitcomb,  Thomas  O.,  prisoner. 

Company  G. 
corporals. 

John  R.  Rittal,  killed.  Bradford  Lowell,  prisoner. 

Crosby  R.  Brookings,  w’d,  died  Aug.  io. 

PRIVATES. 

Blinn,  Bradford  H.,  prisoner.  Erskine,  Joseph,  prisoner, 

died,  Richmond,  November  22. 

Fredson,  Peter,  Jr.,  wounded,  head.  Howard,  Daniel  O.,  wounded,  leg. 
Howard,  Leander,  prisoner.  McCorrison,  Thomas  J.,  wounded. 

Munsey,  William,  prisoner.  Overlock,  Eben,  prisoner. 

Piper,  James  R.,  prisoner.  Rittal,  James  F.,  prisoner. 

Seavey,  William,  wounded,  head.  died,  Richmond,  November  12. 

Company  H. 

Lieutenant  Nathaniel  A.  Robbins,  prisoner. 

First  Sergeant  Francis  P.  Ingalls,  killed. 

Corporal  Daniel  W.  Barker,  wounded,  leg. 

PRIVATES. 

Brackett,  Charles  W.,  wounded,  arm.  Carter,  Edwin  J.,  wounded,  shoulder. 
Emerton,  Andrew  L.,  captured  at  Gilmore,  William  D.,  prisoner, 
Emmitsburg.  Higgins,  Simon,  wounded,  back. 

Rose,  Charles  .wounded  and  prisoner.  Simmons,  William  H.,  prisoner. 
Steele,  George  W.,  capt’d  at  Emmits-  Young,  Harrison,  pris’r,  died  at  Rich- 
burg;  escaped.  mond. 

Company  I. 

Second  Lieutenant  Orpheus  Roberts,  killed. 

SERGEANTS. 

Ivory  W.  Baird,  prisoner.  Daniel  Carley,  wounded,  hand. 

PRIVATES. 

Burgin,  Augustus,  wounded.  Calderwood,  Henry  D.,  prisoner. 

Chase,  Nathan, wounded,  diedjuly  21.  Donahue,  John,  prisoner. 

Doyle,  Thomas,  wounded,  died  July  5.  Parker,  Charles  P.,  prisoner. 

Phinney,  Charles  A.,  prisoner.  Rich,  Wesley,  prisoner. 

Small,  Samuel  D.,  prisoner.  Towers,  William  S.,  wounded. 

Whittam,  Clifton,  prisoner. 


Company  K. 

First  Sergeant  Amos  B.  Wooster,  wounded  in  face,  slight. 

Sergeant  John  A.  Toothaker,  wounded,  diedjuly  20. 

PRIVATES. 

Collins,  Charles  C.,  prisoner.  Gordon,  Ephraim  A.,  w’d,  ankle. 

Hawkins,  Aurelius,  wounded,  arm.  Herrin,  Andrew,  prisoner. 

Hilton,  Alvin,  wounded,  diedjuly  9.  Johnson,  George  F.,  w’d,  died  July  9. 
Merrick,  Isaiah  B.,  w’d,  neck,  pris'r.  Rariden,  Michael,  w’d,  died  July  24. 
Ray,  Jacob  D.,  wounded,  hand.  Rogers,  Frederick  H.,  killed. 

Sawyer,  John  K.,  killed.  Shuman,  John  F.,  w’d,  diedjuly  15. 

Ware,  Horace  L.,  missing.  Whitehead,  Robert,  wounded,  foot. 

Woodbury,  William  H.,  missing. 


176 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Note  on  the  foregoing  report  of  casualties. 

This  nominal  list  shows  a total  loss  in  the  battle  of  140,  men 
and  officers.  Of  these  23  were  killed  or  died  of  their  wounds  ; 
44  simply  wounded ; 73  prisoners,  of  whom  4 were  also 
wounded.  Of  the  prisoners,  many  died  in  southern  prisons. 
The  monument  inscription  of  "22  killed  and  died”  did  not  include 
Isaiah  V.  Eaton,  who  died  of  Iris  wounds,  and  lies  in  the 
National  Cemetery.  The  disparity  in  the  wounded  is  explained 
in  the  address  of  Colonel  Walker.  The  inscription  of  56  miss- 
ing was  an  error,  the  number  being,  according  to  the  nominal 
list,  too  small  by  17  ; an  application  has  been  made  to  the 
Gettysburg  Park  Commissioners  to  have  the  inscription  of 
"56  missing”  rectified,  if  it  can  be  done  without  marring  the 
monument. 


REGIMENTAL  DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENT, 

October  10,  1888. 

ADDRESS  OF  COLONEL  ELIJAH  WALKER. 
Comrades , Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  — 

I am  not  here  to  deliver  an  oration  of  such  rhetorical  finish 
as  that  which  characterizes  the  efforts  of  my  learned  comrades 
at  the  exercises  around  the  Seventeenth  Maine  regiment’s  monu- 
ment to-day  on  the  Wheatfield,  but  as  the  representative  of  the 
Fourth  Maine,  to  accept  this  granite  shaft  and  turn  it  over  to 
the  protecting  care  of  the  Battlefield  Memorial  Association, 
pending  a formal  and  more  befitting  dedication.  You  will  par- 
don me  if,  as  one  speaking  from  personal  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience, I take  this  opportunity  to  briefly  review  the  Fourth 
Maine  regiment’s  history,  and  tell  of  a few  of  the  movements 
in  which  the  command  participated  in  the  course  of  its  long 
term  of  service  in  the  field. 

In  the  latter  part  of  April,  1861,  four  companies  were 
enlisted  and  organized  in  Rockland,  two  in  Belfast,  one  in 
Brooks,  one  in  Searsport,  one  inWiscasset  and  one  in  Damaris- 
cotta.  May  8th  the  officers  of  these  companies  met  in  Rockland, 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


177 


in  obedience  to  orders,  and  elected  Hiram  G.  Berry  as  their 
colonel.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  in  Rockland  May  17th, 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  June  15th,  left  the 
state  on  the  17th,  arrived  in  Washington  the  21st,  crossed  the 
Potomac  to  Alexandria  July  8th,  and  encamped  at  Bush  Hill. 

On  the  12  th  a reconnaissance  was  made  by  companies  Band 
C,  and  three  Confederate  soldiers  were  captured  with  loaded 
muskets  in  their  hands.  On  the  16th  we  marched  in  pursuit  of 
the  rebels.  On  the  21st  we  came  upon  and  engaged  them  at 
Bull  Run,  where  our  army  was  defeated,  with  a loss  to  our  regi- 
ment of  23  men  killed,  3 officers  and  24  men  wounded,  and  3 
officers  and  38  men  missing.  Few  are  the  regiments  that  suf- 
fered more  by  fatalities  than  this,  on  that  hard-fought  field. 
We  returned  to  Alexandria  and  the  camp  we  left,  on  the  16th. 
From  that  time  until  March  17th,  1862,  the  regiment  was 
employed  in  drill,  picket  duty,  felling  trees  and  building  forti- 
fications. We  also  made  several  reconnaissances,  and  were 
the  first  to  report  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  from  Manassas.  On 
the  18th  we  were  on  board  a steamboat  en  route  for  Fortress 
Monroe,  whence  we  went  to  Hampton,  Va. 

March  25th  Colonel  Berry,  who  had  been  promoted  and 
assigned  to  the  command  of  a brigade,  took  leave  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  I assumed  command.  April  4th  we  left  Hampton, 
and  arrived  near  Yorktown  the  next  day.  Here  we  remained 
until  May  4th,  when  we  followed  the  retreating  enemy  to  Wil- 
liamsburg, where  we  found  them,  strongly  fortified,  on  the  5th, 
Here  we  escaped  without  loss  of  men,  although  we  were  the 
first  to  occupy  Fort  Magruder  on  the  morning  of  the  6th.  The 
enemy  were  defeated  and  were  followed  to  Fair  Oaks,  where 
the  left  of  our  army  was  attacked  on  the  31st.  Here,  for  two 
days,  our  (Kearny’s)  division  had  severe  fighting.  June  15th, 
2 2d,  and  25th  the  regiment  had  skirmishing  on  the  picket  line. 
On  the  27th,  a retreat  having  been  ordered  by  the  army  com- 
mander, our  regiment  was  assigned  to  prepare  two  roads  across 
White  Oak  Swamp,  and  we  were  the  last  infantry  troops  to 
cross  the  swamp  on  the  morning  of  the  30th.  We  held  the 
advanced  position  in  the  battle  of  Glendale  during  that  day, 
and  when  the  retreat  began  at  night  were  the  last  to  leave 
the  field. 


178 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


At  Malvern  Hill,  July  1st,  with  our  food  supply  exhausted, 
we  held  the  front  line  of  our  division,  and  were  the  last  infantry 
to  leave  that  famous  battlefield.  At  Harrison’s  Landing  we 
were  obliged  to  endure  miasma  and  bog  water  until  Aug.  15th, 
when  we  marched  to  Yorktown,  took  a steamer  for  Alexandria, 
going  thence  by  rail  to  Warrenton  Junction,  where  we  arrived 
on  the  21st.  We  were  sent  five  miles  in  advance,  to  Rappa- 
hannock Station,  where  on  the  27th  we  were  left,  without 
rations,  to  serve  as  a " blind  ” and  be  captured  by  the  enemy, 
if  need  be ; but  we  succeeded  in  extricating  ourselves,  by  hard 
marching,  with  the  loss  of  a few  who  became  exhausted  and  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  rebels.  These  unfortunates  were  stripped 
of  their  outer  garments,  paroled  and  permitted  to  rejoin  us. 
On  the  morning  of  the  29th  we  arrived  on  the  Bull  Run  battle- 
field, where  we  had  severe  fighting  nearly  all  day,  losing  10 
men  killed,  2 officers,  the  sergeant-major,  and  33  men  wounded, 
and  8 missing.  I escaped  without  injury,  but  thereafter  my 
horse  carried  Confederate  lead  in  his  flesh.  On  the  30th  our 
division  was  on  the  reserve,  but  late  in  the  day  we  had  a lively 
time,  and  the  Fourth  Maine  and  40th  N.  Y.,  were  the  last  to 
leave  the  field. 

September  1st,  at  Chantilly,  we  were  sent  by  General 
Kearny  to  open  an  attack  on  the  enemy,  and  had  desperate 
fighting,  losing  12  men  killed  and  2 officers  and  52  men 
wounded.  My  horse  was  shot  and  killed.  We  then  fell  back 
to  Alexandria,  moving  thence  up  the  Potomac  to  Point  of 
Rocks,  Md.  October  12th  we  had  a skirmish  with  Stuart’s 
cavalry  near  the  mouth  of  the  Monocacy.  The  Third  and 
Fourth  Maine  were  under  my  command,  and  we  were  successful 
in  turning  the  cavalry  into  a road  leading  to  an  ambush  at  the 
ford  ; our  troops,  however,  that  were  to  spring  the  trap,  hastily 
left  on  the  approach  of  the  horsemen,  who  crossed  the  Potomac 
in  safety.  On  the  28th  we  left  the  upper  Potomac  and  marched 
to  Falmouth,  arriving  on  the  20th  of  November.  The  first  duty 
assigned  us  here  was  to  load  300  wagons  with  logs.  We  then 
moved  twelve  miles  down  the  river  and  built  a corduroy  bridge 
across  a swamp.  This  work  accomplished,  we  joined  our  divis- 
ion, by  a forced  march,  and  crossed  below  Fredericksburg, 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  : COL.  WALKER’S  ADDRESS. 


179 


where,  on  December  13th,  I led  211  men  and  officers  in  a charge 
upon  the  enemy’s  fortified  position,  having  3 officers  and  19 
men  killed,  and  7 officers  and  59  men  wounded;  36  men  were 
reported  missing,  of  whom  8 have  never  been  heard  from.  Our 
army  retreated  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  when  I withdrew 
and  followed  the  last  pickets  across  the  river. 

At  Chancellorsville,  May  2d  and  3d,  we  had  our  share  of 
the  fighting,  taking  the  lead  in  the  moonlight  charge  and  being 
the  last  to  cross  the  pontoon  bridge  on  the  retreat.  Here  we  lost 
1 officer  and  2 men  killed,  3 officers  and  15  men  wounded,  and 
7 men  missing.  Tilings  remained  quiet  until  June  11th,  when 
we  marched  from  camp  to  Bealeton  Station,  thence  successively, 
to  Catlett’s  Station,  Manassas  Junction  and  Blackburn’s  Ford, 
and  on  the  17th  arrived  at  Centreville.  On  the  19th  our  Third 
corps  bivouacked  at  Gum  Springs,  where  we  remained  until  the 
25th,  when  we  again  moved  and  bivouacked  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Monocacy.  On  the  26th  we  marched  to  Point  of  Rocks, 
Md.  ; on  the  27th  to  Middletown;  on  the  29th  to  Taneytown, 
and  on  the  30th  to  near  Emmitsburg,  occupying  the  village  the 
next  morning,  July  1st,  at  11  o’clock.  At  1 p.  m.  our  corps 
commander,  General  Sickles,  led  the  larger  part  of  his  command 
to  Gettysburg,  arriving  at  7 o’clock  that  evening.  We  heard 
there  had  been  a severe  engagement  in  which  our  troops  encoun- 
tered a force  much  superior  in  point  of  numbers,  and  were 
driven  back  past  Seminary  Ridge,  through  the  village  of  Gettys- 
burg, and  having  made  a stand  on  Cemetery  Hill,  were  there 
re-forming  their  lines.  This  was  unwelcome  news  to  us  who 
had  been  so  often  defeated,  but  every  soldier  knew  we  were  on 
the  free  soil  of  a free  people,  and  all  were  determined  to  defend 
it  or  die  in  the  attempt. 

The  sun  disappeared,  and  presently  the  stars  became  dimly 
visible  through  a vaporous  and  smoky  atmosphere.  The  sol- 
diers were  seeking  rest  for  their  wearied  limbs,  and  the  officers 
were  engaged  in  readjusting  the  lines  and  forming  new  ones, 
and  in  seeing  that  their  men  were  supplied  with  ammunition. 
With  my  regiment  of  about  300  men  and  18  officers  I made  a 
bed  of  that  soil  destined  to  become  the  Union  veterans’  Mecca, 
and  to  be  immortalized  in  song  and  story ; and  we  were  trying 


180 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


to  get  a little  sleep  in  preparation  for  the  morrow  when  I heard 
a familiar  voice  inquiring  for  Colonel  Walker,  and  I answered, 
" I am  here,  captain.  Is  it  our  turn  to  establish  a picket  line  ? ” 
" Yes,  it  is  the  order  of  General  Sickles  that  your  regiment 
establish  a picket  line,  the  right  to  connect  with  the  First  corps 
pickets  and  the  left  with  those  of  the  Second  corps.” 

I reluctantly  obeyed,  moved  to  the  front  about  half  a mile 
and  established  a line  by  a rail  fence,  some  30  or  40  rods  west 
of  the  Emmitsburg  road,  making  connection  with  the  First 
corps  pickets,  as  directed,  but  I failed  to  find  any  troops  on 
my  left,  except  a few  cavalry  scouts.  The  enemy’s  pickets,  at 
this  time,  occupied  the  woods  directly  in  our  front,  30  and  50 
rods  from  our  line,  in  which  woods  the  enemy  were  assembling 
throughout  the  night.  All  was  quiet  until  daybreak,  when  they 
opened  fire  upon  us  and  several  times  advanced  into  the  open- 
ing, but  were  as  often  glad  to  regain  the  shelter  of  the  woods. 
Early  that  morning  I reported  a large  force  in  the  woods  in 
front  of  me,  but  the  report  was  disregarded  by  my  superiors, 
and  I was  twice  ordered  to  advance  and  drive  the  enemy’s  pickets 
out  of  the  woods.  These  orders  I did  not  attempt  to  execute. 
At  9 o’clock  Colonel  Berdan  reported  to  me  with  250  of  his 
Sharpshooters  with  orders  to  join  me  in  dislodging  the  rebels. 
I soon  convinced  Colonel  Berdan  that  it  would  be  foolhardy 
to  make  the  attempt,  and  he  agreed  with  me  that  an  attack  on 
the  rebels’  flank  was  the  only  practicable  move  that  could  be 
made,  if  our  superiors  could  not  be  otherwise  convinced  of  the 
strength  of  the  concealed  Confederates.  He  left,  saying  he 
would  report  the  result  of  his  observations,  and  at  about  9.30 
the  Third  Maine  and  the  Sharpshooters  did  attack  the  rebels’ 
flank,  as  I had  suggested,  by  which  movement  the  correctness 
of  my  conclusions  was  soon  demonstrated.  From  that  time 
until  2.30  p.  m.  it  was  quiet  in  our  front,  but  there  was  some 
sharp  fighting  on  our  left,  and  we  were  then  relieved  by  the  1st 
Mass.  We  at  once  joined  our  brigade,  which  we  found  pack- 
ing up  to  move,  advanced  with  it  to  the  front  and  were  assigned 
a position  on  the  high  ground  to  the  left  of  the  corps  and,  at 
that  time,  the  left  of  the  army,  connecting  with  the  124th 
N.  Y.  At  my  front  and  centre  was  the  4th  N.  Y.  battery, 
Captain  Smith. 


FOURTH  REGEMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


181 


It  was  now  3 o’clock  and  my  men  were  hungry,  having  drank 
water  for  supper,  breakfast  and  dinner.  Fires  were  kindled, 
a heifer  was  found  near  by  and  slaughtered,  coffee  was  steeped 
and  beef  impaled  on  sticks  was  warmed  over  the  blaze.  We 
drank  our  coffee  and  ate  the  very  rare  and  thoroughly  smoked 
meat,  sprinkling  it  with  salt,  of  which  condiment  every  soldier 
carried  a little  in  his  pocket. 

At  3.45  the  enemy  came  out  of  the  woods  half  a mile  from 
us  and  opened  fire  with  their  artillery,  Smith’s  battery  respond- 
ing. Their  infantry  appeared  in  large  numbers.  They  first 
met  the  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  commanded  by  Lieut. -Col. 
Stoughton,  who  checked  the  advance,  but  fell  back  as  the  strong 
rebel  force  came  on.  I was  ordered  to  the  left,  leaving  Smith’s 
guns  without  support  and  creating  a space  of  about  two  hun- 
dred yards  without  infantry.  To  this  move  I objected,  but  was 
assured  by  the  adjutant-general  of  the  brigade,  who  brought 
the  order,  that  other  troops  would  take  my  place  to  protect  the 
battery.  I unwillingly  moved  to  the  low  ground,  — the  valley 
now  memorable  in  history,  — sending  a few  skirmishers,  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Arthur  Libby,  into  the  woods  between  the 
two  mountains,  and  also  a strong  line  of  skirmishers  to  my 
front.  I soon  withdrew  the  men  from  the  woods,  as  troops  were 
coming  down  Little  Round  Top  in  the  rear  of  Libby’s  line. 
The  line  in  front  had  a severe  time  with  the  advance  of  the 
enemy,  but  was  not  dislodged. 

The  troops  of  the  Fifth  corps  had  occupied  Little  Round 
Top  and  were  advancing  down  its  southern  slope,  being  40  or 
50  rods  to  my  rear  and  left,  when  they  met  the  enemy.  Mus- 
ketry fire  commenced  with  severity.  At  this  time  I had  not 
been  engaged,  except  with  my  skirmish  line  in  the  valley,  but 
in  a moment  the  44th  Ala.  regiment  appeared  at  the  edge  of  a 
wood  of  small  pines  on  our  left  flank.  The  colonel  of  that  regi- 
ment says  that  while  he  was  getting  his  men  into  position,  and 
before  they  fired  a shot,  one-fourth  of  them  had  been  killed  or 
disabled  ; but  when  he  did  open  fire  upon  us  we  soon  found,  to 
our  sorrow,  that  we  had  no  mean  foe  to  contend  with.  They 
soon  gave  up  and  retired  into  the  woods,  where  they  were  com- 
pletely concealed. 


182 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Smith,  on  the  high  ground,  abandoned  his  guns,  and  the 
rebels  came  over  on  my  right  flank  and  in  rear  of  my  skirmish 
line,  many  of  the  latter  surrendering.  I moved  back  about  100 
yards,  fixed  bayonets,  and  charged  forward  by  the  right  oblique, 
driving  the  enemy  from  Smith’s  guns  and  connecting  with  the 
124th  N.  Y.  We  had  a sharp  encounter  on  our  left,  at  the 
brow  of  the  hill,  a little  to  the  right  of  Devil’s  Den.  It  was 
at  close  quarters.  I was  on  foot  and  wounded,  my  horse  hav- 
ing been  killed.  My  sword  was  wrenched  from  my  hand,  but 
my  men  saved  me  and  I recovered  the  sword.  At  this  critical 
moment  the  99th  Penn,  came  to  our  assistance,  forming  on 
our  left  along  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  the  enemy  fell  back, 
taking  cover  behind  the  rocks  and  bowlders  and  in  Devil’s  Den. 
The  6th  N.  J.  regiment  soon  arrived,  taking  position  to  the 
left  of  the  99th  Penn,  and  the  40th  N.  Y.,  extending  the  line 
further  to  the  left,  swinging  their  right  and  advancing  into  the 
low  ground.  The  low,  wet  ground,  which  we  had  been  obliged 
to  abandon,  was  occupied  by  large  numbers  of  the  advancing 
enemy,  but  that  valley,  which  we  had  christened,  had  received 
its  name  for  all  time,  — the  " Valley  of  Death.” 

We  held  our  position  until  about  sunset,  when  our  brigade 
fell  back  and  the  troops  from  the  Second  and  Fifth  corps  had 
a line  in  our  rear.  When  I gave  the  order  to  fall  back  I was 
unable  to  walk,  but  was  saved  from  prison,  and  possibly  from 
death,  by  Sergeant  Mowiy  of  company  B and  Corporal  Roberts 
of  company  F,  who  wrested  me  from  the  foe  and  assisted  me 
to  the  rear.  Our  flag  was  pierced  by  thirty-two  bullets  and  two 
pieces  of  shell,  and  its  staff  was  shot  off,  but  Sergt.  Henry  O- 
Ripley,  its  bearer,  did  not  allow  the  color  to  touch  the  ground, 
nor  did  he  receive  a scratch,  though  all  the  others  of  the  color- 
guard  were  killed  or  wounded. 

I turned  the  regiment  over  to  Capt.  Edwin  Libby,  a tried, 
brave  and  faithful  officer,  and  took  my  first  ride  in  an  ambu- 
lance. July  3d  the  regiment  was  with  the  brigade,  in  reserve, 
and  with  the  Third  Maine,  99th  Penn,  and  20th  Ind.,  under 
Colonel  Lakeman,  moved  to  support  the  Second  corps  when 
the  enemy  was  assaulting  it.  On  the  4th  it  was  on  picket. 

The  Fourth  Maine  was  with  the  troops  that  followed  the 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  : COL.  WALKER’S  ADDRESS. 


183 


defeated  enemy  into  Virginia,  our  division  meeting  and  engag- 
ing the  rebels  at  Wapping  Heights  on  the  23d.  I was  absent, 
but  I rejoined  the  regiment  in  time  to  be  with  it  in  the  manoeu- 
vres from  Culpeper  to  Centreville,  in  October. 

At  Kelly’s  Ford,  November  7th,  I commanded  the  second 
attacking  brigade,  composed  of  99th  Penn.,  86th  and  124th 
N.  Y.,  Third,  Fourth,  and  Seventeenth  Maine.  I had  the 
Fourth  Maine  in  support  of  Randolph’s  Rhode  Island  battery, 
but  it  escaped  without  casualties.  At  Orange  Grove,  Novem- 
ber 27th,  seeing  the  supports  leaving  Randolph’s  battery,  I 
took  my  regiment  to  his  assistance,  dragged  Iris  guns  out  of 
the  mud,  placed  them  on  high  ground,  and  the  enemy  were 
repulsed  with  great  slaughter.  At  Mine  Run,  November  29th 
and  30th,  the  Fourth  Maine  and  20th  Ind.  had  special  orders 
to  charge  the  rebel  batteries,  at  a signal  gun  announcing 
General  Warren’s  attack  on  the  left ; had  the  signal  gun  been 
fired  we  would  have  been  given  over  to  destruction,  but  Warren 
refrained  from  assaulting. 

During  the  winter  of  1864  I was  recommended  by  my 
superior  officers  and  a long  list  of  Maine  officials,  including  the 
governor,  for  promotion ; having,  in  an  unguarded  moment, 
expressed  my  favoritism  for  George  B.  McClellan,  our  repre- 
sentative, who  had  been  intrusted  with  my  cause,  failed  to 
present  the  recommendations. 

May  5th  we  were  the  first  of  the  Second  (Hancock’s)  corps 
to  meet  and  attack  the  enemy,  losing  1 officer  killed  and  3 mor- 
tally wounded  ; 4 other  officers  were  wounded,  1 of  whom  being 
disabled;  17  men  were  killed,  104  wounded  and  2 missing. 
Myself  and  horse  were  wounded,  but  I remained  on  duty. 

May  6th  I was  in  command  of  the  brigade.  We  had  severe 
fighting  all  day,  the  Fourth  Maine  losing  1 officer  killed,  and 
myself  and  another  slightly  wounded  but  not  disabled  ; also  4 
men  killed,  26  men  wounded  and  6 missing.  On  the  7th,  4 
men  were  wounded  and  1 missing,  probably  killed,  as  he  was 
never  heard  from. 

Small  engagements  often  afforded  as  critical  situations  as 
great  battles.  One  such  occasion  befell  me  on  May  10th,  when 
I was  ordered  to  cross  the  Po  River  and,  using  the  Fourth  and 


184 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


part  of  the  Seventeenth  Maine  and  the  picket  men,  to  force 
the  enemy’s  outposts  and  learn  what  force  he  had.  The  stream 
was  some  10  or  12  feet  broad,  bordered  with  swamps,  and 
varied  in  depth  up  to  six  feet.  With  Captain  Briscoe,  of  Gen- 
eral Birney’s  staff,  I crossed  and  reconnoitered ; decided  to 
advance  the  Seventeenth  and  pickets  on  the  road  nearest  the 
river,  wdiile  I led  the  Fourth  by  another  road  farther  out,  run- 
ning nearly  parallel.  The  enemy’s  mounted  videttes  retired  as 
we  approached  them.  During  our  advance  of  about  two  miles 
we  wounded  and  took  two  of  them  with  their  horses.  While 
scouting  in  advance  of  my  men,  I suddenly  came  within  150 
yards  of  a gray-appareled  line  of  battle  which  a scrub  growth 
had  concealed  from  view.  We  then  retraced  our  steps  to  the 
road  on  which  Briscoe  had  advanced  and  was  now  skirmishing 
with  the  "graybacks,”  as  I wanted  to  recall  him  and  cross  the 
stream,  for  I knew  they  would  be  after  us  in  large  numbers. 
But  an  order  came  from  division  headquarters  to  go  in  and 
assist  Briscoe’s  force  to  drive  back  the  enemy’s  pickets.  I pro- 
tested but  could  not  disobey  the  order.  Sending  my  color- 
guard  and  prisoners  across  the  river,  and  leaving  Lieut.  Henry 
O.  Ripley  with  a squad  of  men  to  guard  the  road,  I attempted 
to  carry  out  my  instructions.  Captain  Briscoe  was  then  a mile 
away.  Advancing  about  half  a mile  I received  an  order  to 
rejoin  the  division  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  Sending  out 
Capt.  Arthur  Libby  with  a few  men  to  learn  whether  our  road 
was  open,  he  found  that  the  "woods  were  full  of  them,”  and 
commanding  the  road.  This  was  one  of  the  situations  that  tests 
a man’s  nerves.  I formed  my  men  under  the  brow  of  a hill, 
where  they  bravely  held  the  enemy  in  check  while  I got  word 
to  Briscoe  to  retreat  across  the  river.  We  then  dashed  through 
the  swamp  and  into  the  water,  which  with  the  mud  was  up  to 
our  armpits  ; this  was  our  only  chance,  as  the  enemy  had  gained 
the  river  on  our  right  and  left.  My  horse  followed  the  men, 
and  both  he  and  his  rider  were  safely  landed  on  the  other  side 
with  the  assistance  of  two  gallant  boys. 

Here  my  beloved  and  reliable  Lieutenant  Ripley  was  brought 
in  a blanket,  fatally  wounded.  On  the  enemy’s  approach  to 
the  point  where  he  had  been  stationed,  he  had  rallied  his  men 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


185 


to  check  their  advance,  and  the  next  instant  a bullet  had  passed 
through  his  neck.  His  men  retreated  and  crossed  on  the  road. 
In  this  spirited  affair  two  enlisted  men  of  the  regiment  were 
also  wounded,  — one  mortally,  — and  four  were  missing.  Rip- 
ley was  the  sixth  officer  of  the  regiment  killed  or  mortally 
wounded  since  this  short  campaign  began,  the  others  being  Cap- 
tains Amos  B.  Wooster  and  Edwin  Libby,  killed  ; Major  Robert 
H.  Gray  and  Lieutenants  C.  C.  Gray  and  J.  R.  Conant,  mor- 
tally wounded;  four  others  besides  myself  had  been  wounded, 
but  only  one  disabled  from  duty. 

On  the  12th,  at  Spotsylvania,  we  were  exempt  from  casual- 
ties. On  the  loth  one  man  was  wounded.  On  the  23d,  at 
North  Anna,  in  a successful  charge  upon  the  enemy’s  works, 
which,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  defended  a bridge,  we 
had  5 men  killed  and  19  wounded.  I was  again  hit  by  a rebel 
bullet,  adjutant  Sawyer  was  also  wounded, — both  continued  on 
duty.  On  the  24th  one  man  was  killed,  private  Juan  Millano,  the 
last  on  our  long  "roll  of  honor.”  June  2d,  at  Cold  Harbor,  two 
men  were  wounded.  June  14th  we  crossed  the  James  River, 
and  on  the  15th  I turned  over  to  the  Nineteenth  Maine  the  217 
re-enlisted  men  and  later  recruits,  and  with  the  balance  of  my 
command,  including  4 staff  and  9 line  officers  and  113  men, 
proceeded  to  Maine,  where  we  were  mustered  out  of  the  service 
July  19,  1864. 

When  General  Berry  was  called  to  a more  exalted  position, 
he  recommended  me  for  the  colonelcy  of  the  regiment  he  so 
dearly  loved.  I accepted  the  honor  reluctantly,  conscious  of 
my  inability  to  adequately  fill  his  place  ; but  I am  satisfied  that 
while  under  my  command  the  name  and  fame  of  the  regiment 
were  bravely  upheld,  and  that  fresh  laurels  were  added  to  those 
it  had  already  won. 

[I  desire  to  say  here,  that  the  99th  Pennsylvania  monu- 
ment stands  on  ground  from  which  that  regiment  did  not  fire  a 
shot  July  2,  1863.  Their  right  was  where  their  left  marker  is 
now  placed,  and  extended  along  the  brow  of  the  hill.  The 
Fourth  Maine  are  entitled  to  the  ground  from  the  124th  N.  Y. 
to  the  base  of  Little  Round  Top,  except  that  occupied  for  a 
time  by  Smith’s  4th  N.  Y.  battery.] 


186 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  number  of  wounded  recorded  on  our  regimental  shaft 

O 

includes  only  such  as  were  seriously  disabled. 

In  conclusion,  I desire  to  say  that,  as  a Commissioner 
appointed  by  the  governor,  I accept  this  monument  (which  is 
of  my  own  design)  from  the  granite  and  lime  district  of  Maine 
in  which  the  regiment  whose  heroism  it  commemorates  was 
raised,  and  to  you,  Major  Krauth,  representative  of  the 
Battlefield  Memorial  Association,  I entrust  it,  with  the  fervent 
hope  that  when  the  stone  shall  have  yielded  to  the  disintegrat- 
ing hand  of  time,  our  flag  will  still  be  floating  over  an  undi- 
vided country  and  a free  people. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

The  Fourth  Maine  regiment  of  infantry  was  composed  of 
volunteers  mainly  from  Knox,  Lincoln  and  Waldo  counties. 
It  was  raised  and  organized  under  an  act  of  the  legislature  of 
Maine  approved  April  25,  1861,  authorizing  the  raising  of  ten 
regiments  in  anticipation  of  requirements  that  were  soon  to  be 
made  by  the  general  government  to  aid  in  suppressing  the 
rebellion. 

The  original  organization  when  mustered  into  U.  S.  service 
was  as  follows  : 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Hiram  G.  Berry,  Rockland. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Thomas  H.  Marshall,  Belfast. 

Major,  Frank  S.  Nickerson,  Belfast. 

Adjutant,  Jabez  B.  Greenhalgh,  Rockland. 

Quartermaster,  Isaac  C.  Abbott,  Rockland. 

Surgeon,  William  A.  Banks. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Elisha  Hopkins. 

Chaplain,  Benjamin  A.  Chase,  Unity. 

Sergeant-Major,  S.  H.  Chapman. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  John  H.  Crowell,  Winterport. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Julius  S.  Clark. 

Hospital  Steward,  Charles  S.  McCobb,  Boothbay. 

Principal  Musician,  Isaac  Prince,  Belfast. 

Fife-major,  Henry  E.  Burkmar,  Belfast. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  Henry  W.  Cunningham,  Belfast. 

First  Lieutenant,  Richard  S.  Ayer,  Montville. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Isaac  C.  Abbott,  Rockland. 


FOURTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


187 


Co.  B.  Captain,  Elijah  Walker,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Orrin  P.  Mitchell,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Julius  B.  Litchfield,  Rockland. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  Oliver  J.  Conant,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  A.  Rollins,  Thomaston. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  B.  Greenhalgh,  Rockland. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Lorenzo  D.  Carver,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Thomas  B.  Glover,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  L.  Strickland,  Rockland. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  Stephen  C.  Whitehouse,  Newcastle. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  O.  Dow,  Newcastle. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Frederick  E.  Hussey,  Newcastle. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  Andrew  D.  Bean,  Brooks. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  S.  Huxford,  Brooks. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Burd,  Belfast. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Edwin  M.  Smith,  Wiscasset. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Clark,  Wiscasset. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Gustavus  Rundlett,  Wiscasset. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  G.  J.  Burns,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  C.  Cobb,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  B.  P.  Brackley,  Rockland. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Ebenezer  Whitcomb,  Searsport. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  E.  Burgin,  Searsport. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  N.  Fowler,  Searsport. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Silas  M.  Fuller,  Belfast. 

First  Lieutenant,  Alden  D.  Chase,  Belfast. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Horatio  H.  Carter,  Belfast. 

The  organization,  after  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  began  to 
change  by  resignation.  The  vacancies  in  the  company  officers 
were  filled  by  promoting  non-commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vates, so  that  by  January  1,  1862,  the  regiment  got  firmly  upon 
a war  basis.  Captain  Elijah  Walker  had  become  Major,  and 
before  the  spring  campaign  of  1862  opened,  was  promoted  to 
the  colonelcy.  The  original  company  H was  disbanded  Sep- 
tember 21,  1861.  The  officers  left  the  service  ; but  the  enlisted 
men  were  not  discharged,  they  remained  in  service,  and  faith- 
fully performed  their  duties  to  the  end.  To  take  the  place  of 
this  a new  company  H was  recruited  at  Bangor  and  Belfast, 
and  in  November,  1861,  organized  with  William  L.  Pitcher  for 
Captain,  and  Albert  L.  Spencer  and  George  F.  Bourne,  as 
Lieutenants,  all  from  Bangor. 

The  active  service  in  the  field  performed  by  the  Fourth 
Maine  is  so  fully  outlined  in  the  dedication  address  of  Colonel 
Walker,  which  appears  on  the  preceding  pages,  that  a recount- 
ing of  the  same  is  omitted  here. 


188 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Fourth 
Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army  Register 
(part  1),  published  by  the  War  Department,  August  31,  1865, 
and  other  reliable  sources. 

Officers  at  Muster-out,  July  19,  1864. 

Colonel:  Elijah  Walker,  March  17,  1862. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  George  G.  Davis,  May  10,  1864. 

Captains:  Julius  B.  Litchfield,  August  i,  1862,  prisoner  of  war,  dis- 
charged March  3,  1865;  Ezra  B.  Carr,  April  2,  1863;  William  A.  Barker, 
September  1,  1863;  Arthur  Libby,  December  9,  1863;  Jason  Carlisle,  Decem- 
ber 23,  1863;  Charles  H.  Conant,  December  31,  1863;  George  R.  Abbott, 
January  13,  1864, — while  Lieutenant  of  company  D served  as  Quartermaster 
from  July  22,  1863,  to  January  13,  1864;  after  muster-out  with  Fourth  Maine 
he  served  as  Captain  in  1st  Maine  S.  S.  and  as  Major  Twentieth  Maine 
regiment;  brevet  Colonel. 

First  Lieutenants:  Charles  F.  Sawyer,  Adjutant,  February  26,  1862, 
afterwards  Captain  Twentieth  Maine,  brevet  Major;  Solomon  S.  Stearns, 
May  12,  1862;  Edward  D.  Redman,  October  9,  1863;  Elisha  S.  Rogers, 
October  16,  1863;  George  L.  Crockett,  December  8,  1863;  Artemas  Robin- 
son, January  1,  1864;  Kendall  K.  Rankin,  January  13,  1864, — served  as 
Quartermaster  until  muster-out. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Nathaniel  A.  Robbins,  March  12,  1863,  pro- 
moted to  Quartermaster,  not  mustered,  prisoner  of  war,  discharged  March 
15,  1865;  Marcian  W.  McManus,  July  23,  1863. 

Surgeon:  Seth  C.  Hunkins,  June  14,  1861.  Assistant  Surgeon: 
Albion  Cobb  (a.  w.  m.). 

Chaplain:  Benjamin  A.  Chase,  June  15,  1861. 

(Dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commissions,  those  given  hereafter 
refer  to  date  of  the  event.) 

DIED. 

Majors:  William  L.  Pitcher,  killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va., 
December  13,  1862;  Ebenezer  Whitcomb,  October  5,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  at  Gettysburg;  Robert  H.  Gray,  May  9,  1864,  of  wounds  received 
in  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

Captains:  Daniel  H.  Adams,  April  29,  1863,  of  disease;  Andrew  J. 
Gray,  August  22,  1863,  of  disease;  Edwin  Libby,  killed  at  battle  of  the  Wil- 
derness, May  5,  1864;  Amos  B.  Wooster,  killed  at  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
May  6,  1864. 

First  Lieutenants  : George  F.  Bourne,  killed  at  battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg, Va.,  December  13,  1862;  Joseph  R.  Conant,  May  8,  1864,  of  wounds 
received  May  5;  Christopher  C.  Gray,  May  29,  1864,  of  wounds  received 
May  5,  Wilderness;  Henry  O.  Ripley,  June  13,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in 
action  of  Po  river. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Walter  S.  Goodale,  killed  in  battle  of  Fred- 


ROSTER  OF  THE  FOURTH  REGIMENT. 


189 


ericksburg,  Va.,  December  13,  1862;  Sheridan  F.  Miller,  killed  in  battle  of 
Chancellorsville,  May  2,  1863;  Orpheus  Roberts,  killed  in  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg, July  2,  1863;  Charles  S.  McCobb,  killed  in  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July 

2,  1863;  George  M.  Bragg,  July  5,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Gettysburg. 

PROMOTED  OUT  OF  REGIMENT. 

Col.  Hiram  G.  Berry,  March  17,  1862,  to  Brig.-General  of  Vols.;  Lieut.- 
Col.  Thomas  H.  Marshall,  Sept.  9,  1861,  to  Colonel  7th  Maine  Vols.;  Lieut. - 
Col.  Frank  S.  Nickerson,  November  29,  1861,  to  Colonel  14th  Maine  Vols.; 
Capt.  Edwin  M.  Smith,  April  1,  1862,  to  Captain  and  A.  A.  G. ; First  Lieut, 
and  R.  Q.  M.  Isaac  C.  Abbott,  July  8,  1863,  to  Captain  and  A.  Q.  M. 
RESIGNED  AND  DISCHARGED. 

Resigned:  Lieut.-Col.  Silas  M.  Fuller,  March  1,  1862. 

Captains:  Oliver  J.  Conant,  September  9,  1861;  Stephen  C.  White- 
house,  October  31,  1861;  Henry  W.  Cunningham,  December  16,  1861, 
became  Lieutenant-Colonel  19th  Maine  regt. ; Joseph  L.  Havener,  April  3, 
1862;  Charles  B.  Greenhalgh,  April  27,  1862;  Andrew  D.  Bean,  May  12,  1862; 
Orrin  P.  Mitchell,  July  31,  1862;  Gustavus  Rundlett,  August  12,  1862;  Levi  R. 
Bisbee,  September  30,  1862;  Thomas  B.  Glover,  October  28,  1862;  James 
D.  Erskine,  November  29,  1862;  Charles  A.  Rollins,  January  7,  1863;  Albert 
L.  Spencer,  January  23,  1863;  William  H.  Clark,  January  27,  1863;  Richard 
S.  Ayer,  March  22,  1863, — afterwards  Captain  in  Inv.  corps;  George  F. 
Crabtree,  June  21,  1S63;  John  G.  Auld,  December  14,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  James  O.  Dow,  July  8,  1861;  Alden  D.  Chase, 
July  15,  1861;  William  E.  Burgin,  August  15,  1861;  John  C.  Cobb,  Septem- 
ber 27,  1861;  James  S.  Huxford,  October  2S,  1861;  Benjamin  Kelley,  Jr., 
February  22,  1862;  Charles  L.  Strickland,  May  4,  1862;  James  N.  Fowler, 
July  18,  1862;  Alonzo  E.  Libby,  November  13,  1862;  Otis  C.  McGray,  April 

3,  1863;  Jabez  B.  Greenhalgh,  May  27,  1863;  William  Shields,  September 
27,  1863, — became  Lieut.  U.  S.  Army;  Frank  D.  Ames,  October  8,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Fred  E.  Hussey,  July  8,  1861;  Horatio  H. 
Carter,  August  12,  1861;  Beniah  P.  Brackley,  September  19,  1861. 

Surgeon:  Abial  Libby,  July  17,  1862.  Assistant  Surgeon:  William 
R.  Benson,  September  30,  1862. 

Discharged:  Lieut.-Col.  Lorenzo  D.  Carver,  December  16,  1863, 
for  disability;  2d  Lieut.  Charles  H.  Burd,  January  1,  1862;  Surgeon  George 
W.  Martin,  May  12,  1863;  Surgeon  W.  A.  Banks,  July  18,  1861;  Asst.  Sur- 
geon Elisha  Hopkins,  July  18,  1861. 

OTHERWISE  LEFT  THE  SERVICE. 

Surgeons:  Freeland  S.  Holmes,  never  joined  regiment,  commissioned 
into  6th  Maine;  Capt.  G.  J.  Bums  dismissed  October  10,  1861;  2d  Lieut. 
Eben  Harding  dismissed  April  27,  1863. 


190 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MONUMENT 

OF 

SEVENTEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

This  monument,  of  Hallowell  granite,  stands  at  the  south  edge  of  the 
Wheat-field,  between  the  Peach  Orchard  and  Devil’s  Den,  by  the  stone  fence, 
where  its  colors  were  July  2,  1863,  at  the  position  where  the  regiment  suc- 
cessfully resisted  all  assaults  of  the  enemy  upon  it.  Two  square  bases  of 
single  blocks  support  a four-sided  shaft  or  die,  which,  inlaid  with  diamond- 
shaped blocks  of  red  granite,  rises  to  the  capital  with  a projecting  cornice. 
This  forms  a platform  on  which  is  a sculptured  group,  chiseled  from  a block 
of  white  granite,  representing  a section  of  stone-wall,  with  wheat,  and  the 
statue  of  a typical  soldier  of  1863,  true  in  every  detail,  posed  alert,  resting 
upon  one  knee  in  the  wheat,  holding  his  rifle,  at  the  “ ready,”  across  the  wall. 

Admeasurements:  1st  base,  8 feet  by  8 feet  by  2 feet  3 inches;  2d  base, 
6 feet  by  6 feet  by  2 feet  8 inches;  shaft,  tapering  from  4 feet  3 inches  to  3 feet 
8 inches,  each  side,  by  9 feet;  cap,  4 feet  9 inches  by  4 feet  9 inches  by  2 feet; 
statue,  4 feet  9 inches  by  4 feet  9 inches  by  4 feet  6 inches.  Total  height,  20 
feet  5 inches. 

Upon  two  sides  are  the  following  inscriptions: — 

130  Killed  and  Wounded,  350  Engaged. 

July  2,  1863. 

17  th  Maine 
Infantry. 

Lt.  Col.  Chas.  B.  Merrill, 

Commanding. 

3rd  Brigade, 

1st  Division, 

3rd  Corps. 

Wheat-Field, 

July  2,  1863  ; 

Pickett’s  Repulse, 

July  3,  1863. 


— See  page  191  for  legend  upon  the  monument. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT. 


191 


LEGEND. 

Upon  a bronze  panel  set  into  the  north  side  of  the 
second  base  is  this  legend: — 

The  Seventeenth  Maine  fought  here  in  the 

WhEATFIELD  2 1-2  HOURS,  AND  AT  THIS  POSITION  FROM 

4:10  to  5:45  p.  m.,  July  2,  1863.  On  July  3,  at  time 
OF  THE  ENEMY’S  ASSAULT,  IT  REINFORCED  THE  CENTRE 
AND  SUPPORTED  ARTILLERY.  LOSS,  I32.  KILLED  OR 
MORTALLY  WOUNDED,  3 OFFICERS,  37  MEN.  WOUNDED,  5 
OFFICERS,  87  MEN. 

This  regiment  of  volunteers  from  western 
Maine  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  ser- 
vice at  Portland,  August  18,  1862,  for  three  years. 
It  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Wapping  Heights, 
Auburn,  Kelly’s  Ford,  Locust  Grove,  Mine  Run, 
Wilderness,  Po  River,  Sfottsylvania,  Fredericks- 
burg Road,  North  Anna,  Totopotomy,  Cold  Harbor, 
Petersburg,  Jerusalem  Road,  Deep  Bottom,  Peeble’s 
Farm,  Fort  Hell,  Boydton  Road,  Siege  of  Peters- 
burg, Hatcher’s  Run,  Fall  of  Petersburg,  Detons- 
ville,  Sailor’s  Creek,  Farmville,  Appomattox. 

Aggregate  actual  strength  in  service,  91  offi- 
cers, 1,475  men.  Killed  and  died  of  wounds,  12  offi- 
cers, 195  men.  Died  of  disease,  4 officers,  12S  men. 
Died  in  Confederate  prisons,  31  men.  Wounded,  not 

MORTALLY,  33  OFFICERS,  519  MEN.  MISSING  IN  ACTION, 
FATE  UNKNOWN,  35  MEN.  TOTAL  LOSS,  957.  MUSTERED 
out  June  4,  1865. 


SEVENTEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT, 

THIRD  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION,  THIRD  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


WE  have  followed  the  fortunes  of  the  Third  and  Fourth 
Maine  regiments,  the  one  upon  the  right  and  the  other 
upon  the  left  of  Birney’s  line.  At  a point  near  the 
centre  of  this  line  another  Maine  regiment,  the  Seventeenth 
infantry,  of  de  Trobriand’s  brigade,  defended  a no  less  impor- 
tant position.  This  was  one  of  the  two  brigades  which  Sickles 
left  near  Emmitsburg  to  guard  the  mountain  passes  while  he 
pressed  on  to  Gettysburg,  eleven  miles  away,  with  the  rest  of 
the  corps,  in  response  to  Howard’s  call  for  assistance.  But 
before  daybreak  of  July  2d  Colonel  deTrobriand  received  orders 
to  come  up  to  Gettysburg.  The  brigade  marched  rapidly,  but 
cautiously,  up  the  Emmitsburg  road,  arriving  near  Gettysburg 
late  in  the  forenoon.  The  regiment  was  under  command  of 
Lieut. -Colonel  Merrill,  ably  seconded  by  Major  West.  As  it 
passed  northerly  along  the  road  beyond  the  Peach  Orchard  it 
received  a fire  from  the  Confederate  skirmishers,  screened  by 
the  woods  in  which  they  were  posted,  west  of  the  road.  The 
regiment  filed  off  the  road  to  the  east  and,  passing  through 
grass  fields  and  across  lots,  halted  near  a growth,  where  the 
hungry  boys  made  a hasty  luncheon  of  hard  tack  and  coffee. 

In  the  line,  which  Sickles  was  forming,  de  Trobriand  first 
occupied  the  ridgy,  wooded  ground  between  the  Peach  Orchard 
and  the  Wheatfield.  The  Wheatfield  was  of  triangular  shape, 
about  400  yards  each  side ; the  highest  portion  was  bounded 
by  a cross  road  running  along  by  the  Peach  Orchard  and  east- 
erly across  the  north  slope  of  Little  Round  Top.  The  Wheat- 
field  sloped  down  southerly  from  this  road,  and  along  its 
westerly  side  by  a wood,  to  quite  low  ground,  making  a corner 
near  a branch  of  Plum  Run,  with  a thick  alder  growth  on  the 


Apex  of  I 7 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


193 


west ; the  third  or  southerly  side  was  bounded  by  an  open 
growth  of  sizable  trees,  a stone-wall  intervening,  and  this  wood 
separated  the  Wheatfield  from  Devil’s  Den. 

The  Seventeenth  was  at  first  placed  south  of  the  Peach 
Orchard,  supporting  the  skirmish  line  of  the  3d  Mich.  De 
Trobriand  had  two  regiments  at  the  front,  to  the  left  of  the 
latter, — the  5th  Mich.,  whose  skirmishers  connected  to  the  3d, 
near  the  Rose  barn,  also  the  110th  Penn.,  a small  regiment. 
The  largest  regiment  in  the  brigade,  the  40th  N.  Y.,  was  in 
the  wood,  in  reserve,  behind  these. 

The  ball  opened  by  a shot  from  a battery  at  the  Peach 
Orchard,  soon  taken  up  by  Smith’s  battery  at  Devil’s  Den,  the 
latter  drawing  fire  from  the  enemy’s  batteries  near  the  Emmits- 
buro-  road  farther  south.  Ward’s  brigade  extended  from  Devil’s 
Den,  through  the  wood,  nearly  to  the  ’Wheatfield.  The  advance 
of  the  enemy’s  line  of  battle  was  such  that  Ward  received  the 
first  contact,  on  an  attempt  by  the  enemy  to  capture  Smith’s 
battery.  There  was  a gap  between  Ward  and  de  Trobriand  at 
the  south  corner  of  the  Wheatfield.  To  occupy  this  gap  the 
Seventeenth  Maine  was  hastened  upon  the  double-quick  by 
the  left,  taking  up  its  position  at  the  stone-wall,  the  right  of 
the  regiment  extending  beyond  the  wall  to  the  alders.  Some 
time  after,  the  40th  N.  Y.  was  also  taken  from  de  Trobriand 
and  sent  to  Ward’s  left  rear,  in  the  Plum  Run  valley. 

Shortly  after  4 p.  m.  the  Seventeenth  planted  its  colors  at 
the  stone-wall  on  the  southern  edge  of  the  historic  Wheat- 
field  (a).  There  were  no  immediately  connecting  troops  upon 
its  left  or  right.  The  regiment  took  position  just  in  time  to 
receive  the  first  and  furious  attack  made  by  the  enemy  on  that 
part  of  the  line.  This  was  made  by  Robertson’s  brigade  of 
Hood’s  division,  and  the  first  struggle  of  the  Seventeenth  was 
with  the  3d  Ark.  regiment.  The  latter,  advancing  towards 
the  battery,  struck  the  line  of  the  Seventeenth  obliquely ; the 
Seventeenth  overlapping  its  left  flank,  threw  it  into  confusion 
by  a spirited  enfilading  fire.  Their  line  recoiled.  After  a short 
delay  they  made  a change  of  front,  and  brought  in  some  of  the 

(a)  The  authority  for  this  account  of  the  Seventeenth’s  battle  is  Captain  George 
W.  Verrill,  a participant  in  the  battle  as  Second  Lieutenant  of  company  C.  He  is 
also  the  author  of  all  that  part  relating  to  the  battle  in  the  Wheatfield. 


194 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


1st  Texas  from  their  right.  Advancing  again  they  made  an 
effort  to  dislodge  the  Seventeenth  from  its  position,  but  without 
avail.  Their  lines  were  again  broken,  causing  a partial  with- 
drawal of  their  attacking  forces  here,  and  likewise  at  that  part 
of  the  line  where  they  had  previously  pressed  hard  upon  Ward’s 
brigade  (b). 


The  enemy  re-formed  his  lines  and  brought  in  Anderson’s 
Georgia  brigade  with  these  scattered  portions  of  Robertson’s, 
making  another  determined  assault.  As  this  developed  an 
attack  extending  from  Little  Round  Top  westward,  and  beyond 
the  right  of  the  Seventeenth,  it  brought  into  action  the  5th  Mich, 
and  110th  Penn,  regiments,  which  were  posted  on  the  wooded 
ground  west  of  the  Wheatfield,  as  well  as  some  regiments 
of  the  Fifth  corps,  posted  on  the  right  of  these.  As  the 

(b)  General  Ward  said  in  his  official  report,  “The  valuable  services  rendered  by 
Col.  T.  W.  Egan,  Lieut-Col.  Merrill  and  their  noble  regiments  (40th  N.  Y.  and  Seven- 
teenth Maine),  at  an  opportune  moment,  cannot  be  over-estimated.  Also  see  Rebel- 
lion Records,  Vol.  27,  part  2,  page  408,  reports  of  3d  Ark.  and  1st  Texas. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


195 


right  wing  of  the  Seventeenth,  prolonging  the  course  of  the 
stone-wall  beyond  its  west  end,  extended  obliquely  towards 
the  enemy,  in  advance  of  the  general  position,  and  was  thus 
in  the  air,  the  Georgians  outflanked  it  when  they  advanced. 
Perceiving  this,  the  Seventeenth  promptly  took  measures  to 
avert  disaster.  One-third  of  the  regiment  from  its  right  was 
swung  back  to  a slight  rail  fence  which,  starting  from  the  stone- 
wall at  nearly  a right  angle,  formed  the  boundary  of  the  real 
wheat  field.  Thus  two  fronts  were  presented  by  the  regiment, 
forming  a salient  angle  at  the  stone- wall.  The  movement  was 
accomplished,  although  with  considerable  loss,  so  quietly  that 
the  rest  of  the  regiment,  engaged  as  they  were  with  the  enemy, 
were  not  aware  of  it,  a steady  fire,  being  kept  up.  The  tables 
were  turned.  As  the  veterans  of  Georgia  moved  directly  for- 
ward upon  the  5th  Mich,  and  110th  Penn.,  who  received 
them  face  to  face,  this  newline  of  the  right  wing  of  the  Seven- 
teenth took  them  in  flank.  They  changed  front  to  match  the 
flank  line  of  the  Seventeenth  and  again  advanced,  and  thus 
exposed  their  left  to  the  reliable  men  of  the  5th  Mich.  Mean- 
while the  enemy,  that  was  not  affected  by  this  flanking  fire, 
pressed  forward,  even  up  to  the  stone- wall,  and  a desperate 
struggle  at  close  quarters  ensued  for  this  coveted  position.  At 
the  salient  angle  was  company  B,  with  H,  K and  C at  the 
right ; at  the  left  of  B was  G the  color  company,  and  on  its 
left,  along  the  stone-wall,  were  D,  I,  F,  A and  E.  All  received 
a raking  fire,  particularly  G,  B and  H,  but  all  remained  stead- 
fast, and  routed  the  enemy,  some  of  whom  were  taken  prisoners, 
their  color-bearer,  who  had  advanced  nearly  to  our  line,  nar- 
rowly escaping  capture.  On  that  portion  of  the  line  the  enemy 
had  made  no  impression,  and  Anderson’s  brigade  retired  out  of 
range.  The  fight  had  continued  over  an  hour  ; many  had  fallen, 
but  success  inspired  confidence. 

To  complete  his  line  so  as  to  attack  the  Peach  Orchard  in 
reverse,  Longstreet  now  brought  in  Kershaw’s  South  Carolina 
brigade  of  McLaws’  division,  which  advanced,  holding  its  left 
upon  the  Enmiitsburg  road  and  pushing  forward  its  right  to 
gain  ground  to  the  east,  so  as  to  assault  the  Orchard  from  the 
south,  as  it  advanced,  and  at  the  same  time  secure  a foothold 


196 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


at  the  Wheatfield,  thus  taking  de  Trobriand  in  the  right  flank 
and  rear.  Sennnes’  brigade,  on  the  right  of  Kershaw,  was  ex- 
pected to  assist  Kershaw  and  connect  with  Anderson’s  brigade. 

The  troops  of  Barnes’  division  of  the  Fifth  corps  that  had 
taken  an  excellent  position  on  the  right  of  de  Trobriand,  and 
had  assisted  in  repulsing  the  last  previous  assault,  were  in  a 
situation  to  receive  a part  of  Kershaw’s  force  in  line.  Ker- 
shaw’s advance,  at  about  5 : 30  p.  m.  could  be  plainly  seen  as  his 
regiments  gained  the  Rose  building ; as  they  advanced,  Ander- 
son’s brigade  also  made  another  attack.  The  assault  was  most 
desperate,  with  a strength  at  least  double  that  of  ours  ; if  suc- 
cessful it  would  sweep  directly  across  the  Wheatfield,  converg- 
ing as  it  advanced.  Again  the  Seventeenth  at  the  stone-wall 
held  the  enemy  at  bay ; at  its  angle  it  repelled  the  attempts  of 
Anderson  after  a long  and  persistent  struggle  ; but  Kershaw 
forced  back  the  Fifth  corps  forces  at  the  " loop  ” and  struck  the 
flank  of  de  Trobriand’ s brigade  in  the  woods.  Pushing  ahead 
for  a junction  with  Anderson,  a portion  of  the  assailants  made 
for  the  west  corner  of  the  Wheatfield  through  the  thick  alder 
growth,  happily  there,  which  both  impeded  their  rush  and  broke 
the  solidity  of  their  ranks ; they  emerged  through  the  alders 
within  fifty  paces  of  the  flanking  right  wing  of  the  Seventeenth, 
which  awaited  them  at  the  rail  fence.  Here  were  a hundred 
muskets,  in  the  hands  of  steady  veterans,  to  receive  them : 
" Aim  low,  boys  ! make  every  shot  tell ! ” With  the  most 
frantic  efforts  to  re-form  his  lines  for  a charge,  the  enemy  was 
unsuccessful ; the  men  dropped  as  they  emerged  from  the 
alders  ; in  a few  minutes  they  gave  it  up  and  retreated  out  of 
sio-ht.  The  Seventeenth  breathed  easier.  But  the  attack  of 

O 

Kershaw,  forcing  Barnes  away,  in  turn  compelled  the  5th  Mich, 
and  110th  Penn,  to  move  rearward.  Kershaw  thus  gained 
lodo-ment  in  the  woods  west  of  the  Wheatfield,  considerably  in 
rear  of  the  position  of  the  Seventeenth.  Winslow’s  battery, 
posted  at  the  north  side  of  the  field,  withdrew  from  its  posi- 
tion. The  Seventeenth  was  thus  left  alone,  far  in  advance  of 
its  brother  regiments  and  well  outflanked  upon  its  right  by 
Kershaw.  It  was  ordered  back  across  the  field  in  line  of  battle 
to  the  cross  road  before  spoken  of.  Another  attack  followed 
before  a new  general  line  could  be  arranged. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


197 


The  enemy  seeing  the  retrograde  movement  across  the 
Wheatfield,  at  once  moved  up  to  the  abandoned  stone-wall  and 
over  it,  and  also  to  the  edge  of  the  woods  west  of  the  Wheat- 
field.  General  Birney  rode  up,  saw  the  desperate  situation, 
and  also  saw  the  Seventeenth  Maine  near  him,  which  had  just 
squatted  down  in  the  cross  road  and  had  sent  for  ammunition. 
It  had  expended  already  over  forty  of  the  sixty  rounds  with 
which  it  was  provided  (a) . Birney  called  upon  the  Seventeenth 
for  a charge.  He  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  regiment, 


and  with  a cheer  and  a rush  it  moved  down  into  the  Wheat- 
field.  The  enemy  disappeared  over  the  stone-wall  and  into  the 

(a)  Sergeant  Pratt  of  company  C (afterwards  a captain),  and  some 
others,  carried  80  rounds  into  the  fight.  Captain  Pratt  has  positive  knowl- 
edge that  he  fired  60  rounds  from  the  stone-wall  position,  although  there  were 
lulls  in  the  battle,  a change  of  position  by  the  company,  and  a slight  wound- 
ing, to  interrupt  him  in  his  work.  This  proves  the  time  that  the  regiment 
remained  at  the  wall  to  have  been  nearly  two  hours.  The  Sergeant  did  not 
quit  the  field  until  he  received  his  third  wound,  after  the  charge  under  Birney. 


198 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


woods.  Placing  the  Seventeenth  about  midway  of  the  Wheat- 
field  he  ordered  it  to  remain  there  and  keep  back  the  enemy,  (a) 
The  Seventeenth  took  upon  itself  without  flinching  this  task 
of  a forlorn  hope.  It  was  past  6 o’clock.  General  Sickles  had 
just  been  wounded.  Birney  was  notified  and  took  command 
of  the  corps.  Leaving  the  Seventeenth,  he  went  to  another 
part  of  the  field,  but  he  was  not  unmindful  of  the  situation  he 
left ; (b)  the  gallant  5th  Mich,  was  brought  up  and  extended 
the  line  of  the  Seventeenth  to  the  right ; the  two  small  brigades 
of  Barnes,  who  had  retired  from  the  front  woods,  were  now 
resting  in  the  woods  one  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  the  Wheat- 
field,  but  not  engaged  (c)  ; General  Birney  had  sent  to  Hancock 
for  Second  corps  troops.  Meanwhile  the  raking  musketry  fire 
of  the  enemy  at  short  range,  both  from  the  stone-wall  in  front 
and  the  wood  nearer  and  to  the  right,  was  making  sad  inroads 
upon  the  attenuated  ranks  of  the  Seventeenth  and  its  brother 
regiment,  as  there  was  no  protection  of  any  sort ; occasionally 
the  enemy  would  form  a line  and  emerge  from  the  woods  as 
for  a charge,  but  the  firmness  and  confidence  displayed  by  the 
Seventeenth  and  the  5th  Mich.,  ready  to  meet  him  with  the 
bayonet,  apparently  disheartened  him. 

The  cartridges  were  giving  out ; every  box  of  a dead  or 
wounded  comrade  was  appropriated  to  eke  out  the  supply. 
Twenty  minutes, — a half-hour, — passed,  and  still  no  signs  of 
help ; the  last  cartridge  was  gone  and  the  men  were  grimly 
told  by  the  commanding  officer  that  the  Seventeenth  would 
stay  there  and  hold  the  ground  with  the  bayonet  until  the  last 
man  had  fallen  ! (d)  This  small  band  of  Third  corps  men  suc- 
cessfully held  the  line  at  this  critical  time  without  assistance 

(a)  Of  this  Gettysburg  charge  General  Birney  said  in  his  official  report,  concern- 
ing the  Seventeenth : “ This  regiment  behaved  most  gallantly,  and  evinced  a high 
state  of  discipline.  Their  enthusiasm  was  cheering,  and  the  assistance  rendered  by 
their  charge  most  important.” 

As  accounts  of  various  military  writers  have  injected  several  regiments  into  this 
charge  led  by  General  Birney,  it  is  desired  to  emphasize  the  fact,  that  no  other  regi- 
ment took  part  in  it,  and  no  troops  were  brought  up  to  aid  the  Seventeenth  except 
as  here  narrated.— g.  w.  v. 

(b)  See  de  Trobriand’s  report,— Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  43,  page  520. 

(c)  See  Birney ’s  report,— Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  43,  page  483;  also  Sweit- 
zer’s  report,— Ibid.,  page  Gil. 

(d)  See  Lieut. -Col.  Merrill’s  official  report, —Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  43,  p.  522. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


199 


from  other  infantry.  The  batteries  in  and  to  the  east  of  the 
Peach  Orchard  nobly  performed  their  work  and  helped  to  keep 
Kershaw’s  men  under  cover  by  their  rapid  and  well-aimed  fire. 

At  last,  at  just  about  6 : 40  o’clock,  deliverance  came. 
Caldwell’s  division  of  the  Second  corps  readily  assumed  the 
battle  on  that  portion  of  the  line.  Cross’  brigade  went  in 
where  Ward’s  right  had  rested;  after  this,  Kelly’s  brigade 
advanced,  in  line  of  battle,  through  and  beyond  the  small  rem- 
nant of  the  Seventeenth  Maine  and  5th  Mich.,  into  the  edge  of 
the  wood,  with  a rush  upon  Kershaw’s  troops,  with  whom  the 
Maine  and  Michigan  veterans  had  been  contending. 

The  Seventeenth,  thus  relieved,  collected  and  took  along 
its  wounded  who  were  disabled  on  the  field,  and  then,  in  good 
order,  finally  left  the  Wheatfield,  handing  it  over,  still  intact, 
into  the  keeping  of  other  Union  troops. 

[It  may  not  be  amiss  to  state  briefly  the  events  of  that 
evening,  on  this  part  of  the  field,  after  the  Seventeenth  was 
relieved.  Cross’  brigade  advanced  upon  the  enemy  posted 
behind  the  west  end  of  the  Wheatfield  stone-fence,  and  the  wall 
running  westerly  from  Devil’s  Den.  A hot  contest  ensued  for 
thirty  or  forty  minutes,  the  enemy  holding  his  ground,  when 
the  regulars  of  Ayres’  division,  Fifth  corps,  came  in  up  to  the 
east  side  of  the  Wheatfield  and  relieved  Cross’  brigade.  Kelly’s 
brigade,  with  that  of  Zook  upon  its  right,  fought  fiercely  with 
Kershaw  in  the  woods  where  we  left  him,  finally  driving  the 
latter  out.  About  this  time  Brooke,  with  his  brigade  of  Cald- 
well’s division,  charged  across  the  Wheatfield,  almost  unre- 
sisted by  the  used-up  and  disconnected  troops  of  Anderson, 
Kershaw  and  Semines.  By  these  three  brigades  of  Caldwell 
the  line  was  advanced  to  the  farthest  point  held  by  the  Third 
corps  and  extended  farther  south.  This  was  about  7 p.  M., 
when,  Barksdale  having  pushed  back  our  regiments  and  bat- 
teries just  north  of  the  Peach  Orchard,  Longstreet  brought  up 
Wofford’s  fresh  brigade,  which  advanced  throuo-h  the  Orchard 
and  easterly  on  the  cross  road.  There  was  nothing  to  resist 
him ; Tilton’s  brigade  of  Barnes’  division  had  been  resting  in 
Trostle’s  grove,  in  an  excellent  position  to  defend  from  Wof- 
ford, but  had  retired.  Kershaw  joined  to  Wofford,  and  taking 


200 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


our  lines  about  the  Wheatfield  in  the  right  flank  and  rear, 
easily  whirled  out  the  three  brigades  of  the  Second  corps, 
Sweitzer’s  brigade  of  the  Fifth  corps  which  was  then  in  the 
Wheatfield,  also  the  regulars  of  Ayres , causing  heavy  loss, 
and  advanced  the  Confederate  line  to  the  Plum  Run  valley, 
west  of  Little  Round  Top.  Here  it  was  met  by  a charge  of 
about  three  brigades  of  the  Sixth  and  Fifth  corps.  These  with 
the  timely  aid  rendered  at  this  point  by  McGilvery’s  batteries, 
in  driving  back  Barksdale’s  troops,  not  far  distant,  north  of 
the  cross  road,  turned  the  tide  of  battle.  This  was  about  7 : 30 
p.  M.  The  Confederates  retired  to  the  southerly  and  westerly 
sides  of  the  Wheatfield,  about  where  they  were  when  the  Sev- 
enteenth was  relieved,  nearly  an  hour  before.] 

On  July  3d,  when  Longstreet’s  assault  was  made  upon  the 
centre  of  Hancock’s  line,  the  Seventeenth  was  brought  into  the 
general  line  to  receive  it,  at  a point  where  Wilcox’s  column 
would  have  struck,  had  it  got  so  far,  but  our  batteries  pounded 
this  column  to  pieces  before  it  reached  our  infantry  line  ; lying 
there,  supporting  the  batteries,  the  regiment  was  exposed  to  a 
severe  artillery  fire,  losing  in  it  two  killed  and  ten  wounded,  — 
small  loss  compared  to  that  of  the  day  before. 


A MARKER 

located  upon  the  ground  held  by  the  regiment  July  3d,  during  the  charge, 
stands  upon  the  west  side  of  Hancock  Avenue,  near  the  monument  of  the 
9th  Mich,  battery  and  to  its  right.  This  marker,  cut  from  Maine  granite, 
assumes  the  size  and  appearance  of  a small  monument.  The  upper  portion 
of  the  die  shows  rather  more  than  the  half  of  a square  block,  with  one  of 
its  angles  making  the  apex.  Upon  the  face,  matching  the  angles  of  the  top, 
a red  granite  diamond,  or  lozenge,  is  inlaid,  beneath  which  is  the  following 
inscription: 

Position  of  the  17th  Maine  Infty.  July  3,  1863. 

Losing  Here  Killed  2,  Wounded,  10. 

This  Regt.  Fought  July  2,  in  the  Wheatfield, 

As  Shown  by  Momument  There,  Losing  120. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


201 


PARTICIPANTS. 


FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 


Lieutenant-Colonel,  Charles  B.  Merrill,  Portland,  commanding  regiment. 
Major,  George  W.  West,  Somerville,  Mass. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Roberts,  Portland. 

Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  Josiah  Remick,  Portland. 

Surgeon,  Nahum  A.  Hersom,  Sanford. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  William  Wescott,  Standish. 

Chaplain,  Jeremiah  Hayden,  Raymond. 

Sergeant-Major,  Henry  L.  Bartels,  Portland,  acting  2d  Lieut.,  see  company  F. 
[Acting  Sergeant-Major,  Frederick  W.  Bosworth,  Portland,  Private  co.  A.] 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  John  Yeaton,  Jr.,  Portland. 

Commissary-Sergeant,  John  F.  Putnam,  Lewiston. 

Hospital  Steward,  Nathaniel  B.  Coleman,  Portland. 


Company  A. 

Captain,  Charles  P.  Mattocks,  Portland. 

istSergt.,  act’g  2d  Lieut.  Grenville  F.  Sparrow,  Portland  (com.,  notmust’d). 

SERGEANTS. 

Alvin  F.  Blake, Portland, act’g  1st  Serg.  Fayette  M.  Paine,  New  Vineyard, 
Benjamin  Doe,  So.  Berwick,  Edward  H.  Crie,  Portland. 

CORPORALS. 

Jesse  A.  Stone,  Portland,  Robert  M.  Low,  Pownal, 

Joseph  F.  Lake,  Portland, color-bearer,  George  T.  Jones,  Richmond. 

PRIVATES. 

Andrews,  Albert  H.,  Jr.,  Portland,  Armstrong,  Jacob  L.,  Portland, 


Barker,  Alonzo  J.,  New  Vineyard, 
Brown,  Daniel  W.,  Baldwin, 

Bums,  Michael,  Portland, 

Delihanty,  Thomas,  Portland, 
Goodenow,  Charles,  Gray, 

Hodsdon,  Joseph  A.,  Falmouth, 
James,  John  W.,  Portland, 

Marston,  Edward  H.,  Falmouth, 
Marston,  Joseph  S.,  Falmouth, 

Miller,  Alonzo,  Portland, 

Pettengill,  Albion  C.,  Portland, 

Pray,  Ivory,  So.  Berwick, 

Sawyer  Henry  H.,  New  Gloucester, 
Skillings,  Franklin,  Portland, 

Tuttle,  John  F.,  Freeman, 

Wilkinson,  Frederick  N.,  So.  Berwuck. 


Bodkin,  Peter  P.,  Portland, 

Brown,  Jacob  C.,  Portland, 

Chick,  William  H.,  So.  Berwick, 
Dresser,  Albion  K.  P.,  Pownal, 
Herrick,  Ira  J.,  New  Vineyard, 
Ingraham,  Octavius  C.,  Portland, 
Joy,  Granville  W.,  So.  Berwick, 
Marston,  Horace  G.,  Falmouth, 
McDonald,  Peter,  Compton,  Can., 
Milliken,  Charles,  Portland, 

Pratt,  Jeremiah  L.,  New  Vineyard, 
Sawyer,  Alonzo  W.,  Westbrook, 
Spaulding,  David  M.,  New  Vineyard, 
Totman,  John  F.,  Portland, 
Waterhouse,  Robert,  Portland, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  2d  Lieut.  Edwin  B.  Hough- 
ton, Portland,  act’g  A.  D.  C.  brig,  staff,  commiss’d  1st  Lieut.,  not  mustered. 
Corporal  Anson  F.  Ward,  Portland,  div.  provo.  guard.  Privates:  Frederick 
W.  Bosworth,  Portland,  act’g  Sergt. -Major,  see  Field  and  Staff;  Robert  Ham- 
ilton, Portland,  corps  provo.  guard;  Samuel  D.  Roberts,  Portland,  4th  N.  Y. 
batt’y;  Henry  C.  Allen,  New  Gloucester,  corps  amm’n  train;  Edward  Fabyan, 


202 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Portland,  teamster;  Cornelius  Boyle,  Portland,  regt’l  pioneer;  John  B.  Miles, 
New  Vineyard,  cattle  guard;  Obed  W.  Paine,  New  Vineyard,  blacksmith; 
Jonas  Reynolds,  So.  Berwick,  cook;  Mark  H.  Sawyer,  Portland,  and  George 
H.  M.  Taylor,  Portland,  div.  supply  train;  James  S.  Spaulding,  Anson,  Oliver 
Waite,  Anson,  and  Oliver  Walker,  So.  Berwick,  brig.  amb.  train.  Musicians: 
Henry  B.  Berry,  Portland,  and  Augustus  Vaughn,  New  Vineyard,  hosp.  dept. 
Wagoner  Charles  R.  Hale,  Portland,  div.  supply  train. 

Company  B. 

First  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  C.  Pennell,  Portland,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Green,  Portland. 

SERGEANTS. 

Horace  A.  Smith,  Portland,  acting  First  Sergeant, 

Edwin  J.  Hawkes,  Portland,  Daniel  Gookin,  Portland, 

Cyrus  M.  Hall,  Portland. 


CORPORALS. 

David  C.  Saunders,  Sweden,  color  gd.,  George  W.  Jones,  Portland, 
Edward  A.  Roberts,  Portland,  Charles  H.  Merrill,  Portland, 

George  W.  H.  Roach,  Portland,  Aaron  Hubbard,  So.  Berwick. 

PRIVATES. 


Brackett,  Byron,  Sweden, 
Charles,  Frank  C.,  Fryeburg, 
Doughty,  John,  Jr.,  Portland, 
Elliot,  William  S.,  Portland, 
Fabyan,  Charles  H.,  Portland, 
Foster,  R.  G.  W.,  Albany, 
Holt,  James  G.,  Fryeburg, 
Libby,  Seth  B.,  Portland, 
McKenzie,  Matthew,  Portland, 
Morton,  William  B.,  Fryeburg, 
Noyes,  Alvin  A.,  Portland, 
Smith,  Daniel,  Jr.,  Fryeburg, 
Wiley,  Gardner  B.,  Stowe, 


Carruthers,  Charles  E.,  Portland, 
Davis,  Samuel  C.,  Portland, 
Duran,  George  E.  H.,  Portland, 
Emery,  Moses  D.,  Stowe, 
Flannagan,  James,  Portland, 
Grover,  Alpheus,  Portland, 
Lehane,  John,  Portland, 

McKeen,  James,  Stowe, 

Morton,  Sidney  G.,  Fryeburg, 
Norton,  George  L.,  Portland, 
Quint,  Monroe,  Stowe, 

Walker,  Alden  B.,  Fryeburg, 
Wiley  Joseph,  Fryeburg, 


Winn,  Andrew,  Portland. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  John  Witham, 
Portland,  provo.  guard.  Privates:  Augustus  A.  Kimball,  Portland,  6th  R. 
I.  batt’y;  Edwin  G.  Thorne,  Portland,  Smith’s  4th  N.  Y.  batt’y;  Samuel 
Buxton,  Portland,  amm’n  train;  Samuel  C.  Holden,  Fryeburg,  surgeon’s 
detail;  Orlando  Hooper,  Portland,  George  F.  Moulton,  Portland,  and  Joseph 
Wescott,  Windham,  brig.  amb.  corps;  Edward  Kelly,  Portland,  cook.  Musi- 
cians: James  F.  Bartlett,  Portland,  and  William  H.  Colby,  Portland,  assisting 
wounded.  Wagoner  Samuel  E.  Silsby,  Portland,  tools  wagon. 


Company  C. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edward  Moore,  Portland,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  George  W.  Verrill,  Norway. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Jordan  M.  Hall,  Casco,  Asa  L.  Downs,  Minot, 
William  F.  Morrill,  Durham,  Gustavus  C.  Pratt,  Oxford. 

CORPORALS. 

Cyrus  T.  Pratt,  Poland, 


Josiah  G.  M.  Spiller,  Casco, 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


203 


Jas.  F.  Strout,  Raymond,  color  guard, 
George  B.  Dunn,  Poland. 

Allen,  Joseph  A.,  Raymond, 

Black,  Lawson  S.,  Bethel, 

Campbell,  Alexander,  Minot, 

Dean,  Abraham,  Jr.,  Oxford, 

Durgin,  George  A.,  Minot, 

Graffam,  Henry,  Casco, 

Hawley,  John,  Farmington, 

Mills,  Fessenden  M.,  Norway, 
Perkins,  George  F.,  Minot,  in  part, 
Ricker,  Wentworth  P.,  Poland, 
Strout,  Charles  W.,  Minot, 

Welch,  Stephen  S.,  Casco, 


James  L.  Fuller,  Minot, 

PRIVATES. 

Berry,  James,  Naples, 

Brown,  Horace  J.,  Poland,  in  part, 
Churchill,  Allen  M.,  Poland, 
Duran,  Josiah,  Poland, 

Faunce,  William,  Oxford, 

Haskell,  Samuel  F.,  Poland, 
Maybury,  Enoch,  Naples, 

Pattee,  Andrew  J.,  Poland, 

Pratt,  Addison  B.,  Minot, 

Strout,  Albert,  Raymond, 

Verrill,  Richard,  Raymond, 
Witham,  Henry,  Casco. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Preble  Soper, 
Hebron,  in  provo.  guard;  George  G.  Bridgham,  Poland,  hostler  brig,  h’dqrs; 
Orrin  Downs,  Oxford,  teamster  supply  train;  Chester  J.  Dunn,  New  Glouces- 
ter, assist,  to  wounded;  John  B.  Evans,  Raymond,  cook;  D.  S.  N.  Thurlow, 
Raymond,  regt’l  pioneer.  Musician  Stephen  W.  Gammon,  Poland,  in  charge 
of  stretcher  bearers.  Wagoner  James  E.  Fulton,  Raymond,  supply  train. 

Company  D. 

Captain,  John  C.  Perry,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Newton  Whitten,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Stephen  Graffam,  Portland. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Franklin  I.  Whittemore,  Portland, 

Daniel  J.  Chandler,  Lewiston,  Newton  W.  Parker,  Lewiston. 

CORPORALS. 

Bernard  Hogan,  Lewiston,  color  guard,  George  A.  Parker,  Lewiston, 

Melvin  Davis,  Lewiston,  George  F.  Hanna,  Portland. 

PRIVATES. 

Austin,  Joseph,  Lewiston,  Baker,  Edwin  G.,  Lewiston, 

Bickford,  Nathaniel  G.,  Lewiston,  Chadderton,  Joseph,  Lewiston, 

Currier,  George  O.,  Lewiston, 

Fall,  Melvin,  Lebanon, 

Fowler,  Levi,  Lewiston, 

Goodwin,  Henry  G.,  So.  Berwick, 
Hays,  Charles  H.,  Portland, 

Hulme,  James,  Lewiston, 

Mills,  Joseph  N.,  Portland, 

Penley,  Henry  H.,  Lewiston, 

Rounds,  Isaac,  Lewiston, 

Sweeney,  Michael,  Lewiston, 

Winter,  Amos  G.,  Lewiston. 


Cobb,  Daniel,  Windham, 
Dwelley,  Samuel  L.,  Lewiston, 
Faunce,  Gilman,  Lewiston, 
Gammon,  Samuel  H.,  Portland, 
Groves,  Laphorest,  Lewiston, 
Holt,  John,  Lewiston, 

Lane,  William  N.,  Lewiston, 
Parker,  George  I.,  Lewiston, 
Rogers,  Ezra  P.,  Lewiston, 
Skillin,  Hiram  B.,  Portland, 
Toole,  Thomas,  Lewiston, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Charles  H.  Pink- 
ham,  Lebanon,  Livingston’s  N.  Y.  battery;  Charles  W.  Peasley,  Lewiston, 
div.  provo.  guard;  William  Bodge,  Lewiston,  orderly  div.  h’dqrs;  Warren 
S.  Butler,  Lewiston,  regt’l  hosp.  nurse;  Thomas  M.  Dennett,  Portland, 


204 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


hostler;  Edmund  D.  Field,  Portland,  in  amb.  corps,  stretcher  bearer;  John 
Hogan,  Lewiston,  regt’l  pioneer,  stretcher  bearer;  Thomas  C.  Haley,  Lew- 
iston, and  John  E.  Newman,  Portland,  div.  supply  train;  Elijah  P.  Harmon, 
Lewiston,  hostler  div.  h’dqrs;  Frank  A.  McDonald,  Lewiston,  and  Bradford 
Stevens,  Lewiston,  div.  amb.  train;  Charles  McCarty,  Portland,  guard  at 
hospital;  Isaiah  G.  Mason,  Lewiston,  brig,  blacksmith.  Wagoner  Frank  C. 
Houghton,  Lewiston. 


Company  E. 

Captain,  Ellis  M.  Sawyer,  Cape  Elizabeth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Frederick  A.  Sawyer,  Portland. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Herman  Q.  Mason,  Portland. 

Charles  F.  Vanhorn,  Portland,  Oliver  E.  Jordan,  Cape  Elizabeth. 

CORPORALS. 

George  F.  Small,  Cape  Elizabeth,  William  M.  Loring,  Yarmouth, 
Herbert  Soule,  Yarmouth,  Albert  O.  Baker,  Yarmouth,  color  gd. 

PRIVATES. 

Adderton,  Josiah  M.,  No.  Yarmouth,  Allen,  Albion  S., Freeport, (part  July  2). 
Anthoine,  Edwin  D.,  Cape  Elizabeth,  Baker,  Charles  W.,  Yarmouth, 
Barstow,  Jeremiah  R.,  Cumberland,  Blackstone,  Jordan,  Pownal, 

Blake,  Elijah,  No.  Yarmouth,  Brown,  John  N.,  Cape  Elizabeth, 

Bruce,  Rufus  S.,  Yarmouth,  Colley,  Charles  L.,  No.  Yarmouth, 

Doughty,  George  W.,  Cape  Elizabeth,  Goff,  Lucius  S.,  Gray, 


Hall,  James  H.,  Yarmouth, 

Hayes,  David  P.,  No.  Yarmouth, 
Holyoke,  Charles  G.,  Yarmouth, 
Johnson,  Albert  A.,  Freeport, 

King,  William  H.,  Woolwich,  Eng., 
Loring,  Joseph  H.,  Yarmouth, 
Milliken,  Samuel,  Cape  Elizabeth, 
Pargade,  Cheri,  No.  Yarmouth, 
Rideout,  Joseph  M.,  Cumberland, 
Seabury,  Ammi  D.,  Yarmouth, 
Sparks,  James  E.,  Yarmouth, 

True,  Hollis,  Pownal, 


Harmon,  Arthur  A.,  Cape  Elizabeth, 
Hayes,  Francis  E.,  No.  Yarmouth, 
Huff,  Samuel,  Jr.,  Portland, 

Jordan,  Simon,  Cape  Elizabeth, 
Lombard,  John  T.,  Cape  Elizabeth, 
Marston,  E.  Greeley,  Yarmouth, 
Mitchell,  Tristram  P.,  Yarmouth, 
Plowman,  Oliver,  Scarborough, 
Ross,  George  E.,  Gray, 

Soule,  George  O.  D.,  Yarmouth, 
Thompson,  Charles  H.,  Gray, 
Whitney,  William  J.,  No.  Yarmouth. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Standish  P. 
Reed,  Yarmouth,  R.  I.  battery;  Aaron  Hodgdon,  Pownal,  cook;  Francis  H. 
Hale,  Paris,  and  Moses  McKenny,  Cape  Elizabeth,  div.  provo.  guard;  Will- 
iam H.  Gore,  Gray,  and  Lewis  A.  Simpson,  Gray,  amb.  corps;  David  V. 
Lovell,  Pownal,  and  William  F.  Roberts,  Cape  Elizabeth,  teamsters.  Wag- 
oner Lewis  W.  Lombard,  Portland,  with  trains. 

Company  F. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  A.  Perry,  Portland,  commanding. 

[Act’g  Second  Lieut.,  Serg.-Major  Henry  L.  Bartels,  corn’d,  not  mustered.] 
First  Sergeant,  Hannibal  S.  Warren,  Norway. 

Sergeant,  Charles  P.  Jackson,  Woodstock. 

corporals. 

Zephaniah  E.  Sawtelle,  Paris,  Asa  G.  Charles,  Norway, 

George  R.  Fickett,  Portland,  William  D.  Merrill,  Norway,  color  gd., 

Albert  C.  Gammon,  Norway,  Austin  Hanson,  Hiram, 

Otis  H.  Dyer,  Paris. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


205 


Allen,  George  H.,  Shapleigh, 
Burgess,  Joseph  P.,  Brownfield, 
Day,  Henry,  Jr.,  Brownfield, 
Famham,  Luther  B.,  Woodstock, 
Gannon,  William,  Greenwood, 
Kenniston,  George  G.,  Brownfield, 
Libby,  Richard  L.,  Windham, 
Morse,  Moses  H.,  Paris, 

Newcomb,  Charles  A.,  Sebago, 
Parker,  Isaac,  Hiram, 

Stone,  Henry  F.,  Lebanon, 

Thome,  Edgecomb  N.,  Brownfield, 
Washburn,  Almon  T.,  Paris, 
Whitman,  George  W.,  Woodstock, 


PRIVATES. 

Ames,  Willard  O.,  Greenwood, 
Curtis,  Oliver  G.,  Paris, 

Estes,  Joshua  P.,  Bethel, 

Farr,  Solomon,  Greenwood, 

Holt,  Calvin,  Norway, 

Knapp,  James  H.  S.,  Paris, 

Morse,  Edward  F.,  Norway, 
Morton,  Melville,  Westbrook, 
Newhall,  Eugene  P.,  Paris, 

Pratt,  Levi  A.,  Paris, 

Thorne,  Barnett,  Woodstock, 
Twitched,  Charles  H.,  Paris, 
Washburn,  Linas  G.,  Paris,  July  2, 


Woodman,  John  M.,  Hiram. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Frank  L.  Berry, 
Paris,  amb.  corps;  Privates:  Hosea  R.  Allen,  Hiram,  and  William  Spencer, 
Baldwin,  hospital  nurses;  William  H.  Day,  Brownfield,  in  4th  N.  Y.  battery; 
Ephraim  H.  Brown,  Norway,  corps  provo.  guard;  Lemuel  B.  Carter,  Paris, 
and  William  H.  Gray,  Brownfield,  amb.  corps;  William  H.  Downs,  Paris, 
teamster  supply  train;  Isaac  E.  Osgood,  Hiram,  guard  to  convalescents; 
William  H.  Thome,  Bridgton,  amb.  train;  Cyms  S.  Tucker,  Norway,  brig, 
saddler;  Wentworth  H.  Shaw,  Bridgton,  provo.  guard;  Seth  Wadsworth, 
Hiram,  surgeon’s  detail.  Musician  John  C.  McArdle,  Paris,  assistant  for 
wounded.  Wagoner  Nathaniel  LeBarron,  Greenwood,  quartermaster’s  dept. 

Company  G. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Hiram  R.  Dyar,  Farmington,  commanding  company. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  John  N.  Morrill,  Strong, 

Walter  F.  Noyes,  Jay,  James  Snowman,  Weld, 

Stephen  H.  Roberts,  Berwick,  Lloyd  W.  Lamos,  Berwick. 

corporals. 

Johiel  B.  Blethen,  Madrid,  Albert  L.  Bradbury,  Avon, 

Jeremy  P.  Wyman,  Strong,  Benjamin  F.  Huff,  Buxton, color  guard. 

PRIVATES. 

Arnold,  Edgar  W.,  Farmington,  Bean,  Nelson  O.,  Industry  (July  3d), 
Butterfield,  Augustus  F.,  Farmington,  Colomy,  Elbridge,  Berwick, 


Dunnell,  Alvah  L.,  Buxton, 
Frederic,  George  A.,  Temple, 

Ham,  Charles  H.,  Berwick, 
Houston,  Elbridge  L.,  Weld, 
Kannady,  George  H.,  Phillips, 
Kimball,  John  H.,  Jay, 

Manson,  John  S.,  Buxton, 

Pinkham,  Francis,  Berwick, 

Rollins,  Albert  G.,  New  Sharon, 
Stearns,  Albert  M.,  Weld, 

Vaughan,  Sylvester,  New  Vineyard, 
Wentworth,  Henry  R.,  Berwick, 
Wilder,  Silas,  Temple. 


Eastman,  George  A.,  Berwick, 
Hackett,  SumnerS.,  Strong, 
Hanscomb,  Eben  B.,  Buxton, 
Hurd,  Francis  E.,  Berwick, 
Kannady,  Warren,  Avon, 
Lawrence,  James  B.,  Weld, 
Norton,  Oliver  D.,  Industry, 
Roberts,  James  A.,  Berwick, 
Sawyer,  Isaac  D.,  Buxton, 
Thompson,  John,  Madrid, 
Wallingford,  George,  Berwick, 
Whitehouse,  Charles  T.,  Berwick, 


MAINE  AT  GETTY SBTJRG . 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  John  W.  Cope- 
land, Worcester,  Mass.,  provo.  guard.  Privates:  Francis  0.  Bean,  Industry, 
teamster  div.  train;  Luther  Childs,  Salem,  R.  I.  batt’y;  George  L.  Hosmer, 
Farmington,  regt’l  detail;  Asa  Jennings,  Farmington,  hosp.  nurse;  Joseph 
L.  McLaughlin,  Weld,  4th  N.  Y.  batt’y;  John  Plaisted,  Temple,  stretcher 
bearer;  James  E.  S.  Pray,  Berwick,  field  hosp.  ass’t;  Charles  M.  Rand,  Weld, 
cook;  Ebenezer  Roberts,  Berwick,  div.  provo.  guard;  John  Vaughan,  Ber- 
wick, hosp.  attend’ t.  Wagoner  Leonard  T.  Vosmos,  New  Sharon,  with  trains. 


Company  H. 

Captain,  Almon  L.  Fogg,  Westbrook. 

Act’g  2d  Lieut.,  istSergt.  George  A.  Whidden,  Westbrook;  corn’d  not  must’ d. 

sergeants. 

Stephen  P.  Flart,  Westbrook,  acting  First  Sergeant, 

William  H.  Sturgis,  Standish,  Charles  J.  Bond,  Windham, 

James  H.  Loring,  Westbrook,  color  bearer. 

corporals. 

Sumner  Winslow,  Westbrook,  James  M.  Webb,  Westbrook, 

George  Barrows,  Harrison,  Robert  B.  Whitcomb,  Standish, 

Charles  R.  Meserve,  Hallowed. 


Adams,  Frank,  Westbrook, 
Bond,  Benjamin  F.,  Gorham, 
Chute,  Charles  A.,  Westbrook, 
Cobb,  Uriah,  Windham, 

Davis,  Albert  S.,  Standish, 
Dow,  Benjamin  A.,  Standish, 
Hatch,  Royal  S.,  Westbrook, 
Jones,  Edward  H.,  Westbrook, 
Martin,  Ira  L.,  Sebago, 

Rand,  Royal,  Windham, 
Scribner,  Bourdon,  Harrison, 
Spurr,  Llewellyn,  Otisfield, 
Thomas,  Manuel,  Windham, 


PRIVATES. 

Barber,  William,  Westbrook, 
Brackett,  Horace  N.,  Harrison, 
Cobb,  Solomon,  Westbrook, 
Crosby,  Leonard  E.,  Westbrook, 
Davis,  John  S.,  Hollis, 

Dyer,  Roscoe  G.,  Sebago, 

Hicks,  Ephraim,  Gorham, 

Libby,  Darius  S.,  Falmouth, 
Plaisted,  Trafton  S.,  Westbrook, 
Sanborn,  Charles  W.,  Otisfield, 
Small,  Oliver  F.,  Limington, 
Thomas,  Charles  W.,  Westbrook, 
Winslow,  Nathaniel  P.,  Westbrook. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  Albion  P.  Stiles, 
Gorham,  corps  postmaster.  Privates:  Andrew  Saunders,  Sebago,  3d  R.  I. 
batt’y  (wounded  July  2d);  John  G.  Scott,  Westbrook,  Smith’s  4th  N.  Y. 
batt’y;  Franklin  E.  Morse,  Otisfield,  battalion  of  convalescents;  Cyrus  Chap- 
lin, Naples,  and  Luther  E.  Hall,  Harrison,  stretcher  bearers;  William  S. 
Hanscomb,  Windham,  div.  hosp.  nurse;  Andrew  J.  Larrabee,  Westbrook, 
and  Mesach  P.  Larry,  Windham,  surgeon’s  detail;  Charles  A.  Warren,  Stan- 
dish, amb.  corps;  Leonard  Pride,  Westbrook,  cook;  James  G.  Sturgis,  Stan- 
dish, hosp.  ass’t;  Daniel  W.  Haskell,  Harrison,  and  Van  R.  Morton,  West- 
brook, div.  provo.  guard;  Horace  B.  Cummings,  Portland,  and  Thomas  D. 
Emery,  Standish,  quarterm’r  dept.;  Jabez  Marriner,  Westbrook,  commiss’y 
dept.;  Alonzo  Moses,  Standish,  hostler;  Thomas  Sands,  Standish,  brig, 
h’dqrs;  Alphonzo  A.  Spear,  Standish,  teamster;  Henry  C.  Hatch,  Sebago. 

Company  I. 

Captain,  William  Hobson,  Saco. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  O.  Thompson,  Portland. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


207 


SERGEANTS. 

ist  Sergeant,  Frank  C.  Adams,  Saco,  Charles  C.  Cole,  Hiram, 

Oliver  D.  Blake,  Biddeford,  Charles  J.  Goodwin,  Saco. 

CORPORALS. 

Samuel  E.  Jenness,  Biddeford,  Charles  H.  Parcher,  Biddeford, 

Aurelius  A.  Robertson,  Bethel,  Owen  Stacy,  Saco, 

Frederick  A.  Mitchell,  Saco,  color  guard. 

PRIVATES. 

Bradbury,  Thomas  C.,  Biddeford, 


Brown,  James  B.,  Gorham, 

Haley,  John,  Saco, 

Hill,  Joseph,  Saco, 

Irish,  Melville,  Gorham, 

Jose,  James  W.,  Saco, 

Libby,  Henry  H.,  Scarborough, 
Roberts,  John  H.,  Gorham, 
Sawyer,  Charles  F.,  Baldwin, 
Small,  Edwin,  Limington, 

Tasker,  George  F.,  Saco, 
Wentworth,  David  A.,  Brownfield, 


Benson,  Robert,  Saco, 

Brand,  Thomas,  Saco, 

Goodwin,  Charles  E.,  Saco, 

Harmon,  Andrew  J.,  Saco, 

Holmes,  Hiram  G.,  Biddeford, 

Jordan,  Charles  A.,  Saco, 

Kimball,  George,  Saco, 

Richardson,  George  A.,  Limington, 

Rounds,  Walter,  Scarborough, 

Simpson,  John  H.,  Scarborough, 

Sweetsir,  James  F.,  Biddeford, 

Waterhouse,  Winfield  S.,  Scarboro’, 

White,  Charles  M.,  Standish. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Musician  William  H.  Atkin- 
son, Limington,  clerk  brig,  h’dqrs.  Privates:  Allen  H.  Abbott,  Saco,  brig, 
h’dqrs;  James  C.  Blaisdell,  Lebanon,  amb.  corps;  Thomas  Clark,  Saco, 
hostler;  Alvin  Hodge,  Biddeford,  4th  N.  Y.  batt’y;  John  A.  Kilham,  Saco, 
amm’n  train  guard;  Michael  McGrath,  Biddeford,  teamster;  William  H.  H. 
Pillsbury,  Shapleigh,  regt’l  surgeon’s  clerk;  Thomas  F.  Perkins,  Biddeford, 
at  corps  h’dqrs;  Benjamin  P.  Ross,  Biddeford,  brig,  quarterm’ r dept. ; Eli- 
phaz  Ripley,  Buckfield,  blacksmith  div.  h’dqrs. 

Company  K. 

Captain,  Milton  M.  Young,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Putnam  S.  Booth  by,  Biddeford. 

First  Sergeant,  Isaac  O.  Parker,  Kittery. 

Sergeant,  Harry  Crosby,  Kittery. 

corporals. 

Andrew  J.  Miller,  Auburn,  William  H.  Neal,  Kittery, 

Robert  H.  Mathes,  Durham,  N.  H.,  Edwin  A.  Duncan,  Kittery,  color  guard, 
James  A.  Bennett,  Auburn,  George  J.  Strout,  Auburn. 

privates. 


Achorn,  Casper,  Kittery, 

Beals,  Charles  A.,  Auburn, 
Burnham,  John  C.,  Kittery, 
Churchill,  Robert  J.,  Kittery, 
Goodwin,  Valentia  H.,  Kittery, 
Hall,  Silas  P.,  Oxford, 

Hussey,  Daniel  H.,  Kittery, 
Lord,  Oren,  Waterford, 

Lyon,  George  W.,  Auburn, 
Remick,  John  H.,  Kittery', 
Young,  Augustine,  Auburn. 


Austin,  Robert  W.,  Gardiner, 
Bunker,  Daniel  B.,  Kittery, 
Butland,  F.  Augustus,  Kittery, 
Cotton,  John  H.,  Auburn, 
Grace,  Andrew  J.,  Jr.,  Kittery, 
Hatch,  Samuel  O.,  Auburn, 
Keith,  Augustus  H.,  Auburn, 
Lunt,  Horace,  Kittery, 

Phillips,  Hiram  B.,  Kittery, 
Wardwell,  Cyrus  T.,  Oxford, 


208 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  John  M.  Crocker, 
Auburn,  div.  provo.  guard;  George  H.  Holt,  Albany,  at  corps  h’dqrs;  John 
Holden,  Kittery,  corps  provo.  guard;  Elisha  Hall,  Auburn,  amm’n  train 
guard;  John  F.  Hewey,  Auburn,  and  Nathan  B.  Lord,  Abbott,  teamsters; 
Addison  A.  Miller,  Auburn,  cook.  Musician  Wesley  D.  Rowell,  Kittery, 
ass’t  to  wounded. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Adjutant  Charles  W.  Roberts,  right  leg,  amputated. 

Company  A. 

Acting  First  Sergeant  Alvin  F.  Blake,  wounded,  died  Aug.  2. 

Sergeant  Fayette  M.  Paine,  wounded,  both  legs. 

Corporal  George  T.  Jones,  wounded,  leg. 

PRIVATES. 

Brown,  Jacob  C.,  killed.  Hodsdon,  Joseph  A.,  killed. 

Marston,  Horace  G.,  wounded,  foot.  Milliken,  Charles,  wounded,  arm. 
Skillings,  Franklin,  wounded,  thigh.  Spaulding,  David  M.,  wounded,  leg. 
Tucker,  George  W.,  missing,  fell  out  before  battle. 

Company  B. 

Second  Lieut.  William  H.  Green,  July  3,  shell  concussion;  resumed  duties. 

SERGEANTS. 

Horace  A.  Smith,  wounded,  leg.  Cyrus  M.  Hall,  July  3,  killed. 
Corporal  George  W.  Jones,  wounded,  leg;  died  July  23. 

PRIVATES. 

Brackett,  Byron,  wounded,  head.  Carruthers, Charles  E.,w’d;  died  July  9. 
Davis,  Samuel  C.,  w’d;  died  July  4.  Duran,  George  E.  H.,  July  3,  w’d. 
Elliot,  William  S.,  wounded,  shoulder.  Emery,  Moses  D.,w’d,  hip;  died  July  9. 
Flannagan,  James,  wounded.  Lehane,  John,  wounded,  leg. 

McKeen,  James,  July  3,  w’d,  head.  McKenzie,  Matthew,  wounded,  arm. 


Norton,  George  L.,  July  3,  w’dsh’lder. 
Quint,  Monroe,  killed  July  3. 

Wiley,  Joseph,  wounded,  leg. 


Morton,  Sidney  G.,  wounded,  foot. 

Noyes,  Alvin  A.,  wounded,  groin. 

Walker,  Alden  B.,  wounded,  groin. 

Company  C. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  W.  Verrill,  wounded,  thigh. 

SERGEANTS. 

William  F.  Morrill,  wounded,  leg.  Gustavus  C.  Pratt,  three  wounds,  arm. 

CORPORALS. 

James  F.  Strout,  color  guard,  w’d,  thigh.  George  B.  Dunn,  wounded,  shoulder. 

PRIVATES. 

Black,  Lawson  S.,  wounded.  Dean,  Abraham,  Jr.,  wounded,  thigh. 

Faunce,  William,  wounded,  side.  Mills,  Fessenden  M.,  w’d;  died  July  3. 

Pattee,  Andrew  J.,  w’d;  died  July  9.  Pratt,  Addison  B.,  wounded,  thigh. 
Strout,  Charles  W.,  July  3,  w’d,  neck.  Witham,  Henry,  killed. 

Company  D. 

First  Lieutenant  Newton  Whitten,  July  3,  wounded,  foot. 

Second  Lieutenant  Stephen  Graffam,  wounded,  arm. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


209 


CORPORALS. 

Bernard  Hogan,  color  guard,  w’d;  died  July  18.  Hanna,  George  F.,  w’d,  leg. 

PRIVATES. 

Bickford,  Nathaniel  G.,  wounded,  leg.  Cobb,  Daniel,  wounded,  head. 

Dwelly,  Samuel  L.,  w’d;  died  July  8.  Fowler,  Levi,  killed. 

Hulme,  James,  wounded,  leg.  Hays,  Charles  H.,  wounded. 

Company  E. 

Sergeant  Oliver  E.  Jordan,  wounded,  leg. 

CORPORALS. 

George  F.  Small,  wounded,  thigh.  Albert  O.  Baker,  color  guard,  w’d,  hand. 

PRIVATES. 

Baker,  Charles  W.,  wounded.  Brown,  John  N.,  July  3,  wounded,  leg. 

Goff,  Lucius  F.,  wounded,  hand.  Llarmon,  Arthur  A.,  killed. 

Hayes,  Francis  E.,  wounded,  breast.  Johnson,  Albert  A.,  wounded,  arm. 
Sparks,  James  E.,  wounded.  Whitney,  William  J.,  wounded,  side. 

Company  F. 

Sergeant  Charles  P.  Jackson,  killed;  first  man  hit;  reported  w’d  and  missing. 

CORPORALS. 

Zephaniah  E.Sawtelle, wounded, hand.  William  D.  Merrill, color  g’d, w’d, hand. 
Austin  Hanson,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Ames,  Willard  O.,  w’d;  died  July  24.  Day,  Henry,  Jr.,  wounded,  leg. 

Day,  William  H.,  w’d;  died  Aug.  31.  Farr,  Solomon,  wounded,  head. 

Holt,  Calvin,  w’d;  died  Jan.  6,  1864.  Kenniston,  George  G.,  w’d,  bowels. 
Libby,  Richard  L.,  wounded,  arm.  Morse,  Moses  H.,  wounded,  hand. 
Twitched,  Charles  H., w’d, arm  and  leg. Washburn,  Almon  T.,  wounded,  side. 

Company  G. 

Second  Lieutenant  Hiram  R.  Dyar,  killed. 

Sergeant  James  Snowman,  July  3,  wounded,  hip. 

Corporal  Benjamin  F.  Huff,  color  guard,  wounded. 

privates. 

Arnold,  Edgar  W.,  wounded,  arm.  Childs,  Luther,  det’d  R.  I.  batt’y,  w’d. 
Colomy  Elbridge,  wounded.  Eastman,  George  A.,  wounded. 

Hackett,  SumnerS.,  wounded,  arm.  Hanscomb,  Eben  B.,  wounded,  hand. 
Houston,  Elbridge  L.,  wounded.  Hurd,  Francis  E.,  killed. 

Lawrence,  James  B.,  w’d  and  prisoner.  Rollins,  Albert  G.,  killed. 

Sawyer,  Isaac  D.,  killed.  Thompson,  John,  wounded. 

Company  H. 

Captain  Almon  L.  Fogg,  wounded,  abdomen;  died  July  4. 

SERGEANTS. 

Stephen  P.  Hart,  acting  First  Sergeant,  wounded,  leg. 

Charles  J.  Bond,  wounded,  leg.  James  H.  Loring,  color  bearer,  killed. 

CORPORALS. 

George  Barrows,  killed.  Robert  B.  Whitcomb,  wounded,  leg. 

Sumner  Winslow,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Cobb,  Solomon,  wounded,  arm.  Dyer,  Roscoe  G.,  killed. 

Hicks,  Ephraim,  killed.  Jones,  Edward  H.,  wounded,  breast. 

Martin,  Ira  L.,  wounded;  died  Aug.  9.  Rand,  Royal,  w’d  July  2;  died  July  3. 
Sanborn,  Charles  W.,  wounded,  foot.  Saunders,  Andrew,  det’d  R.  I.  batt’y, 
Spurr,  Llewellyn,  wounded,  leg.  wounded. 


210 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  I. 

First  Sergeant,  Franklin  C.  Adams,  wounded,  hand. 

CORPORALS. 

Aurelius  A.  Robertson,  w’d;  died  July  5.  Owen  Stacy,  wounded. 

Frederick  A.  Mitchell,  on  color  guard,  wounded,  leg  amputated;  died  July  10 

PRIVATES. 

Brand,  Thomas,  wounded,  leg.  Jordan,  Charles  A.,  wounded,  leg. 

Kimball,  George,  wounded,  leg.  Small,  Edwin,  wounded,  shoulder. 
Wentworth,  David  A.,  wounded,  leg.  White,  Charles  M.,  wounded,  arm. 

Company  K. 

Captain  Milton  M.  Young,  wounded  July  2;  died  Aug.  13. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant  Isaac  O.  Parker,  wounded;  died  July  7. 

F.  Augustus  Butland,  w’d;  died  Sept.  6.  Harry  Crosby,  wounded,  left  leg. 

CORPORALS. 

William  H.  Neal,  killed.  James  A.  Bennett,  wounded,  hand. 

PRIVATES. 

Austin,  Robert  W.,  wounded.  Beals,  Charles  A.,  July  3,  wounded. 

Bunker,  Daniel  B.,  killed;  Grace,  Andrew  J.,  Jr.,  July  3,  w’d,  hip. 

reported  wounded  and  missing.  Rail,  Silas  p > wounded,  hand. 

Hatch,  Samuel  O.,  w’d;  died  July  5.  Hussey,  Daniel  H.,  wounded,  leg. 
Lord,  Oren,  wounded,  chest. 


REGIMENTAL  DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENT, 

October  10,  1888. 

Brevet  Lieut. -Col.  Edward  Moore,  President  of  the  Seven- 
teenth Maine  Regiment  Association,  called  the  large  assembly 
to  order  at  the  monument  in  the  Wheatfield  and  introduced 
Rev.  Charles  G.  Holyoke,  late  Sergeant-Major  of  the  regiment, 
who  offered  the  following 


PRAYER. 

Almighty  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  have  reason  to  thank  thee  that 
thou  hast  spared  our  lives  until  this  day.  We  thank  thee  that  in  thy  good 
providence  we  are  permitted  to  gather  here  to  pay  this  tribute  of  respect  to 
the  memory  of  our  departed  comrades.  O God,  we  thank  thee  for  our  land, 
the  land  bequeathed  to  us  by  our  forefathers,  the  land  of  liberty  and  freedom. 
We  thank  thee  that  when  war  broke  forth  upon  our  land,  with  all  its  ruin, 
terror  and  woe,  and  there  were  those  who  would  gladly  have  torn  asunder 
our  country,  that  there  came  forth  from  their  homes  and  firesides  friends  and 
dear  ones,  those  who  were  loyal  and  true,  to  defend  our  beloved  land.  And 
we  are  here  to-day  to  dedicate  this  monument  to  the  memory  of  those  who 
on  this  sacred  spot  shed  their  blood  and  laid  down  their  lives  in  defending 
our  flag  and  nation.  We  would  remember  what  they  endured  and  suffered 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION.  211 


for  the  cause  of  freedom.  Grant  that,  as  in  time  to  come,  to  all  who  shall 
visit  this  ground  and  this  region  made  sacred  by  the  blood  of  patriots  shed, 
they  shall  remember  at  what  cost  and  sacrifice  our  Union,  our  Country,  was 
preserved.  God  bless  our  land,  and  may  peace  evermore  prevail  throughout 
all  our  borders,  for  thy  name’s  sake.  Amen. 

ADDRESS  BY  BREVET  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  MOORE. 
Comrades : — 

A quarter  of  a century  has  passed  by  since  you  were  upon 
this  field,  a field  which  you  helped  to  make  historic  by  your 
deeds  of  valor  on  July  2 and  3,  1863.  You  visit  this  field 
to-day  for  the  purpose  of  dedicating  this  beautiful  monument, 
erected  by  our  state  to  commemorate  the  gallant  deeds  of  her 
sons,  and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  those  of  the  Seventeenth 
Maine  regiment  who  fell  upon  this  decisive  battlefield  of  the  Avar. 

You  will  pardon  me  if,  on  this  occasion,  I refer  briefly  to 
the  war  record  of  the  regiment,  aside  from  the  part  it  took  in 
the  battle  of  Gettvsburg.  During  its  term  of  service  the  regi- 
rnent  took  part  in  twenty-seven  battles,  besides  doing  duty  in 
petty  engagements  and  on  the  picket  line  during  one-fifth  of 
the  whole  term  of  enlistment.  In  the  statistical  tables  by  W. 
F.  Fox  of  losses  in  battles,  we  find  a list  of  "300  fighting  regi- 
ments,” comprising  those  whose  aggregate  deaths  by  battle 
amounted  to  130  or  more  ; we  also  find  his  list  of  45  infantry 
regiments  that  lost  over  200,  killed  or  died  from  wounds  in 
battles ; we  also  find  a list  of  22  regiments  out  of  all  the  regi- 
ments of  the  Union  armies  Avhose  mortality  by  battle  exceeded 
fifteen  per  cent  of  their  enrolment.  In  regard  to  the  last  list 
he  says  : " The  regiments  in  this  list  can  fairly  claim  the  honor 

of  having  encountered  the  hardest  fighting  in  the  war.  They 
may  not  have  done  the  most  effective  fighting,  but  they  evi- 
dently stood  where  the  danger  was  thickest,  and  were  the  ones 
which  faced  the  hottest  musketry.  They  were  all  well-knoAvn, 
reliable  commands,  and  served  with  unblemished  records.  The 
maximum  of  loss  is  reached  in  this  table.”  We  find  the  Seven- 
teenth Maine  in  all  these  lists. 

Your  connection  with  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  dates  back 
to  June  11,  1863,  when  you  left  "Camp  Sickles,”  Ya.  After 
tedious  marches,  covering  over  200  miles,  you  arrived  at  the 


212 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


college  near  Emmitsburg,  the  afternoon  of  July  1st.  On  the 
morning  of  July  2d,  at  1 : 30  o’clock,  the  regiment  received 
orders  to  assemble  for  a march.  At  4:30  a.  m.  it  started  for 
Gettysburg,  and  at  10  o’clock  arrived  on  the  field  of  battle, 
ha  vino;  marched  thirteen  miles  in  five  and  a half  hours.  Lee 
was  just  extending  his  lines  to  his  right,  his  skirmishers  threat- 
ening the  Emmitsburg  road.  A little  after  noon  the  regiment 
was  placed  at  the  left  of  the  Peach  Orchard  to  support  the  brig- 
ade skirmish  line,  where  it  remained  until  the  battle  began. 
A few  minutes  after  the  first  shot  was  fired,  at  about  4 o’clock 
p.  m.,  we  entered  this  Wheatfield  with  350  rifles,  20  officers 
and  3 acting  as  officers,  commissioned  but  not  mustered,  and 
became  actively  engaged  with  the  troops  of  Hood’s  division  of 
Longstreet’s  corps.  We  moved  at  double-quick  across  this 
Wheatfield  under  fire,  until  we  gained  possession  of  this  stone- 
wall in  our  front.  Our  right  extended  some  distance  beyond 
the  rivulet,  our  colors  resting  on  the  spot  where  this  monument 
stands,  our  left  along  the  wall  as  far  as  a large  bowlder. 

The  contest  for  this  wall  became  very  severe  along  our 
whole  front,  the  lines  of  battle  being  not  over  one  hundred 
yards  apart,  and  a number  of  times  during  the  contest  the 
enemy  were  upon  one  side  while  the  Seventeenth  was  upon  the 
other.  Winslow’s  battery,  which  was  located  in  rear  of  our 
left  flank,  on  the  ridge  up  there,  did  splendid  service,  and 
assisted  the  regiment  to  drive  the  enemy  back.  Shortly  after 
the  regiment  became  engaged,  a small  command,  said  to  be  the 
rallied  portions  of  two  regiments,  was  brought  up  in  rear  of 
the  right  flank  of  the  Seventeenth,  with  the  evident  intention  of 
placing  them  in  line,  connecting  on  our  right ; but  while  they 
were  yet  some  seventy-five  yards  in  our  rear,  the  mounted 
officer  leading  them  fell  from  his  horse,  wounded,  and  these 
troops  disappeared  from  our  sight  without  delay.  Our  right 
flank  being  unprotected,  the  enemy  attempted  to  gain  our  rear, 
but  his  movements  were  discovered,  and  our  right  wing  was 
refused  to  nearly  a right  angle  with  this  wall.  Those  of  the 
enemy  who  attempted  to  gain  our  rear  were  exposed  to  a mur- 
derous fire  from  our  right  wing,  and  they  retired.  After  every 
repulse  the  enemy  would  re-form,  bringing  up  fresh  troops  and 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  : MOORE  S ADDRESS. 


213 


extending  liis  lines  for  fresh  assaults,  and  so  the  fight  continued 

o 7 O 

along  this  wall  until  about  6 o’clock,  when  we  received  orders 
to  fall  back  across  this  field  to  the  cross  road  on  the  ridge,  and 
replenish  our  ammunition.  Our  boys  left  this  position,  which 
they  had  so  long  and  successfully  defended,  with  reluctance, 
but  the  enemy  had  gained  ground  on  both  our  right  and  left, 
and  Winslow’s  battery  had  been  withdrawn.  The  enemy  fol- 
lowed up  and  attempted  to  gain  our  flanks.  His  movements 
were  noticed,  just  as  we  reached  the  road,  by  our  gallant  divis- 
ion commander,  Gen.  David  Bell  Birney,  who  rode  up,  took 
the  Seventeenth,  and  led  it  in  a charge.  With  cheers  the  regi- 
ment, in  line  of  battle,  came  down  this  Wheatfield  and  forced 
the  enemy  back  over  this  wall.  Although  our  ammunition  was 
low,  the  fighting  was  continuous  and  of  a most  deadly  character. 
The  loss  in  officers  and  men  was  very  severe  in  this  part  of  the 
fight.  After  a contest  prolonged  until  about  dusk,  our  men 
being  in  the  open  field  without  shelter,  but  yielding  no  ground, 
the  regiment  was  finally  relieved  by  other  troops,  and  was 
ordered  to  withdraw  from  the  Wheatfield. 

The  colors  of  the  regiment,  our  two  flags,  had  their  stand 
in  two  places  in  this  field,  as  the  manoeuvres  of  the  battle  car- 
ried the  regiment.  First,  here  at  the  wall,  where  this  monu- 
ment stands ; later  on,  after  our  upheld  standards  advanced, 
at  the  centre  of  the  regimental  line,  in  that  glorious  charge 
under  Birney,  they  found  their  stationary  place  to  be  nearly  in 
the  centre  of  this  field,  about  100  yards  east  of  the  woods 
which  yet  bounds  it  on  the  west.  The  colors  of  the  regiment, 
— the  national  and  the  state,  — our  glory  and  our  pride  ! em- 
blems of  progress  and  of  achievements  ! And  the  Color-Guard  ! 
let  us  recall  our  Color-Guard : National  Color-Bearer,  Cor- 
poral Lake  of  A ; State  Color-Bearer,  Sergeant  Loring  of  H ; 
the  others  were  Corporals  Saunders  of  B,  Strout  of  C,  Hogan 
of  D,  Baker  of  E,  Merrill  of  F,  Huff  of  G,  Mitchell  of  I and 
Duncan  of  K,  — ten  in  all,  counting  the  bearers.  The  first  to 
be  hit  was  Strout,  almost  as  soon  as  we  reached  this  wall,  — 
wounded,  and  left  for  dead  on  the  field ; here  he  lay,  part  of 
the  time  unconscious,  as  the  lines  and  missiles  of  warfare  passed 
back  and  forth  over  him  ; at  length,  on  July  4th,  to  be  restored 


214 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


to  us,  not  mortally  wounded.  Then  Baker’s  turn  came,  and  he 
lost  a portion  of  his  hand ; then  Mitchell,  mortally  wounded. 
And  so  the  guard  grew  less,  the  casualties  being  about  equally 
divided  between  the  two  positions.  At  the  second  position, 
Sergeant  Loi'ing  was  instantly  killed.  The  color,  crimsoned 
with  the  blood  of  his  fallen  companion,  was  seized  by  Lake, 
who  for  a minute  held  both  standards  in  his  gi'asp,  and  then 
handed  Loring’s  over  to  Corporal  Merrill ; the  latter  was 
wounded,  and  he  in  turn  passed  the  color  over  to  Corporal 
Duncan,  who  got  it  safely  into  bivouac  that  night.  Corporals 
Huff  and  Hogan  were  wounded,  the  latter  mortally  ; only  three 
of  the  ten  were  unscathed.  Lake  and  Duncan  were  promoted 
to  Sergeants  on  the  held.  This  is  what  it  meant  to  belong:  to 
the  Color-Guard  at  Gettysburg. 

On  the  moniing  of  July  3d  the  regiment  was  moved  to 
the  right,  and  assembled  with  the  division  in  reserve.  It  so 
remained  until  noon,  when  we  were  startled  by  two  signal  guns 
from  the  Confederate  side,  which  were  the  prelude  to  the  most 
terrific  cannonading  our  army  ever  experienced.  For  nearly 
two  hours  160  guns  sent  shot  and  shell  into  our  ranks,  prepar- 
atory to  Longstreet’s  assault  upon  the  centre  of  the  Union  line. 
During  this  artillery  duel  we  received  orders  to  move  to  the 
right  and  reinforce  the  lines  of  General  Doubleday.  Proceed- 
ing at  double-quick,  we  were  soon  at  the  front  in  position  to 
aid  in  repelling  the  assault  generally  known  as  Pickett’s  charge. 
The  regiment  was  formed  in  line  supporting  the  9th  Mich,  bat- 
tery. Throughout  the  assault  the  regiment  was  exposed  to  a 
severe  artillery  fire,  and  suffered  a loss  in  both  officers  and  men. 

At  9 p.  M.  you  were  sent  to  the  front  to  perform  picket 
duty,  where  you  remained  for  the  night.  On  the  morning  of 
the  4th  the  regiment,  relieved  from  picket,  was  set  to  work 
throwing  up  earthworks.  On  the  morning  of  July  5th,  the 
Confederate  army  was  on  the  retreat,  and  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg was  at  an  end. 

The  list  of  casualties  in  the  regiment  during  the  engage- 
ments of  July  2d  and  3d  numbered  132  killed  and  wounded. 
I deem  it  appropriate  to  read  this  roll  of  honor.  [The  killed 
and  mortally  wounded  appear  in  the  whole  nominal  list  of  cas- 
ualties following  the  list  of  " participants,”  on  another  page.] 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  : VERRILL’s  POEM. 


215 


With  justice  to  the  memory  of  those  heroes  of  the  Seven- 
teenth Maine  who  here  laid  down  their  lives,  defending  this 
position  as  if  it  typified  their  country  ; and  speaking  for  its  sur- 
vivors, sixty  of  whom,  participants  in  this  battle,  being  now 
present  and  ready  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth,  I cannot  close 
without  stating  that  no  circumstance,  condition  or  act  occurred 
on  this  Wheatfield  July  2,  1863,  that  would  warrant  the  plac- 
ing of  that  monument  where  it  now  stands,  a few  paces  to  the 
west  of  this  of  the  Seventeenth  Maine,  as  marking  a place  in 
line  of  battle ; for  upon  that  very  spot  the  ranks  of  the  Seven- 
teenth stood  July  2d,  and  fought  from  the  opening  of  the  con- 
test until  nearly  6 o’clock  that  afternoon.  We  protest  against 
the  placing  of  that  monument  of  the  115th  Penn,  on  that  spot, 
or  within  200  feet  of  it.  We  also  protest  against  the  inscrip- 
tion upon  that  monument  which,  without  justification,  recites 
that  July  2d  "this  regiment”  [115th  Penn.]  "engaged  the 
enemy  here  at  4.30  p.  M.” 

POEM. 

THE  SEVENTEENTH  MAINE  IN  THE  WHEATFIELD. 

BY  CAPTAIN  GEORGE  W.  VERRILL. 

The  foe!  the  foe  advances!  Mark  you  now  his  course, 

Straight  for  the  Union  left,  where  half-formed  lines  are  seen. 

He  aims  to  hurl  his  columns  with  resistless  force 
Upon  and  through  the  Orchard,  blushing  with  its  fruit, 

The  Hillock,  slumbering  in  the  shadow  of  its  trees, 

Across  the  Wheatfield,  happy  with  its  ripening  grain, 

Over  the  crags  and  pits  and  sloughs  of  Devil's  Den, 

Around  and  up  the  steeps  of  Round  Top’s  rugged  sides; 

To  smite,  to  pierce  and  crush,  to  tear  and  sweep  away, 

The  slender  thread  of  Blue  stretched  out  to  bar  his  way! 

This  only  done,  yea  less,  for  at  the  Wheatfield’ s verge 
The  thread  its  centre  finds; — unchecked  even  here  the  surge, 

And  on  and  through  will  pour  the  torrent  of  the  foe, 

To  wreck  the  Union  lines,  engulf  and  overthrow. 

The  foe  comes  on!  and  now  the  Wheatfield  bare  of  troops! 

Haste,  Birney  and  de  Trobriand!  fill  up  the  gap — 

This  open  gateway — quick!  or  you  will  be  too  late! 

Even  now  the  skirmish  challenge  rings  through  rifle  tube, 

And  spatters  of  the  coming  storm  fall  here  and  there! 

Nearer  the  Southron  comes, — a mighty  wave  of  Gray! 

No  line  of  Blue,  no  Northern  breasts  his  course  to  stay! 


216 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Up  now,  ye  sons  of  Maine! — in  double-quick  go  in 

And  fill  the  gap! — though  thin  your  line,  stretch  out  and  fill! — 

Ah,  none  too  soon!  for  even  while  the  bending  grain 

Still  kisses  Northern  feet  that  press  it  as  they  speed, 

The  angry  Southern  missiles  clip  its  nodding  plumes! 

Stand  firm,  O Pine  Tree  Sons; — upon  you  now  is  laid 
The  safety  of  the  whole! — Guard  well  the  Wheatfield  gate, 

You  boys  with  Diamond  Red  and  “ 17  ” shining  there, 

Laughing  in  face  of  foe! — Can  you  be  brave  as  gay? 

To  stand,  though  comrades  none,  on  right  or  left,  are  nigh? 

To  stand,  till  succor  comes?  If  so  it  chance,  to  die? 

Breaks  now  the  storm!  the  iron  bolts  of  war  fly  free! 

Mercy  affrighted  flies  to  Heaven! — but  leaves  a wall, — 

Blest  wall  of  precious  stones,  with  sparkling  jets  of  fire! — 

Fierce  flashes  gleam;  the  leaden  hail  pours  in; 

Thunder  of  guns,  shrieking  of  shell,  and  hissing  ball! 

Death  and  Destruction  rampant  in  the  sulphurous  air; 

The  Rebel  yell,  the  Union  cheer;  and  face  to  face 

The  bayonet!— This  is  the  hour  that  calls  for  manhood’s  best! 

And  is  the  Seventeenth  Maine  still  there? — It  wavers  not; 

Its  colors  still,  though  rent  in  shreds,  defiant  float. 

Its  veterans  firm!  the  earth  beneath  them  quakes  with  dread! 
Hearts  strong,  nerves  tempered  in  the  flame  of  battle,  theirs; 
Their  true  aim  reaps  its  harvest;  death  and  crippling  wounds 
They  deal  to  foe.  But  what  they  give,  they  take. 

Alas!  by  ones  and  tens  our  noble  lads  go  down. 

The  weeping  grain  wraps  its  soft  mantle  round  the  slain, 

And  tenderly  supports  the  wounded  on  its  breast. 

No  succor  yet! — and  thin  and  thinner  are  the  ranks, 

And  fast  the  lessening  store  of  cartridge  goes — 

No  aid!  though  eager  thousands  wait  the  word  to  come! — 

But  more  the  honor  due,  as  aid  is  less,  in  strife. 

Still  there,  our  boys!  Though  foiled,  recoiling  from  the  shock, 
The  foe,  persistent,  gathers  up  his  scattered  strength, 

Compact,  full  four  to  one,  determined  now  to  gain 
The  field  still  firmly  held  by  sturdy  boys  from  Maine! 

Still  held  as  if  each  stalk  of  grain  with  life-blood  red, 

Were  precious  as  the  living  hearts  this  life-blood  shed. 

Again  the  yell!  More  withering  now  the  battle  blast! 

Lead  to  the  tender  flesh,  iron  to  the  brittle  bone! 

Foes  at  the  front  charge  in,  and  from  the  left  and  right 
Focus  their  fury  here; — rages  and  roars  the  fight! 

By  ones  and  tens  and  scores  our  best  and  bravest  fall, 

Yet  still  undaunted  there  the  rest!— Secession’s  wave 
Breaks  on  the  Northern  rocks!  Disaster  here  is  curbed 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


217 


In  mid  career! — hurled  back  the  foe! — the  Wheatfield  saved! — 

Your  duty  done,  O Seventeenth!  here  come  two  lines  of  Blue 
To  guard  and  keep  the  ground,  thus  long  hours  held  by  you, 

The  red-stained  Wheatfield  at  immortal  Gettysburg! 

Upon  the  spot  where  these  men  fought,  to  manhood  true, 

Raise  high  the  granite  shaft,  nor  art  nor  treasure  spare, 

To  evidence,  in  lasting  stone,  the  honor  due 
To  them,  who  battled  thus,  for  love  of  country  there;— 

And  register  the  debt  of  gratitude,  anew. 

ORATION. 

BY  BREVET  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  WILLIAM  HOBSON. 

Comrades  and  Fellow  Citizens : 

If  a stranger  from  foreign  lands  should  finish  his  inspection  of  our  famous 
battlefields  of  the  late  war  by  a visit  to  Gettysburg,  he  might  ask  why  this 
only  of  those  many  fields  is  covered  with  monuments  of  various  designs,  but 
all  tasteful  and  elegant,  and  why  this  field  in  special  manner  is  the  Mecca  of 
pilgrimage  to  all  lovers  of  our  Constitution  and  Union.  The  answer  is  not 
far  to  seek.  The  battle  of  Gettysburg  enjoys  a distinction  which  cannot  be 
accorded  to  any  other  of  the  great  conflicts  of  which  the  history  of  the  war  is 
full.  It  has  been  well  said  that  it  marks  the  high  water  of  the  tide  of  rebel- 
lion. The  waves  of  fire  which  surged  around  these  heights  on  the  first  three 
days  of  July,  1863,  ever  after  receded  until  they  sank  into  an  eternal  calm  at 
Appomattox.  Again,  it  was  the  only  battle  of  magnitude  which  was  fought 
on  distinctively  free  soil,  never  again  to  be  vexed  by  the  tread  of  hostile 
armies.  It  was  fought,  too,  at  a point  not  far  distant,  at  that  time,  from  the 
centre  of  population  of  the  United  States,  and  at  a time  not  far  away  from  the 
middle  of  the  four  years’  conflict.  All  previous  battles  led  up  to  Gettysburg; 
all  subsequent  battles  led  away  from  it. 

Still  further,  the  fighting  of  the  battle  at  this  point  was  not  the  work  of 
human  design.  Neither  General  Meade  nor  General  Lee  had  the  least  inten- 
tion or  idea  of  making  this  the  scene  of  conflict.  As  the  meeting  in  the  sum- 
mer sky  of  two  little  clouds  differently  charged  with  electricity  calls  in  all  the 
neighboring  forces  of  nature  on  either  side  until  earth  and  heaven  resound 
with  the  roar  of  nature’s  artillery,  so  the  accidental  meeting  on  the  first  day 
of  July,  1863,  of  Buford’s  cavalry  with  the  forces  of  the  enemy,  naturally  and 
irresistibly  drew  to  the  conflict  on  both  sides  all  the  powers  of  the  oppos- 
ing armies. 

As  to  no  General  belongs  the  credit  of  causing  the  battle  to  be  fought 
here,  so  to  no  one  in  particular  more  than  another  belongs  the  credit  of  con- 
ducting it  to  a successful  issue.  General  Reynolds’  orders  on  the  first  of 
July  were  not  to  bring  on  a general  engagement.  He  did  not  know  when  he 
moved  to  Buford’s  assistance  that  he  was  bringing  on  a general  engagement, 
and,  unfortunately  for  him  and  his  country,  he  never  knew  it.  Whether,  if 
he  had  known  it,  he  would  have  done  differently,  we  never  learned  from  him. 
This  much  we  do  know,  that  he  was  not  a man  to  march  away  from  the  sound 
of  the  enemy’s  guns,  or  to  remain  quiet  when  his  comrades  needed  his 
assistance. 


218 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


To  General  Howard,  when  he  arrived  upon  the  field,  a serious  problem 
was  presented,  the  preservation  of  the  shattered  remnants  of  Reynolds’  corps, 
and  the  selection  of  a position  where  that  corps,  united  with  his  own,  could 
make  a stand  against  the  forces  of  the  rebels  already  flushed  with  victory. 
His  keen,  practised  military  eye  rested  upon  Cemetery  Hill,  and  to  him 
belongs  the  credit  of  first  placing  our  forces  in  position  there.  The  arrival 
of  the  Twelfth  corps,  which  was  stationed  on  his  right  on  Culp’s  Hill  and 
Rock  Creek,  the  arrival  of  the  Third  corps  which  was  put  in  position  on  his 
left,  only  later  to  be  moved  further  to  the  left  to  let  its  first  position  be  occu- 
pied by  the  Second  corps,  put  our  army  in  array  for  the  movements  of  the 
second  day. 

Of  those  movements  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  to  any  one  who  is  at 
all  conversant  with  strategy,  and  has  studied  the  topography  of  the  country, 
that  the  action  of  Major-General  Sickles,  our  gallant  and  beloved  corps  com- 
mander, in  advancing  a portion  of  his  forces  to  the  Emmitsburg  road,  and 
there  meeting  the  first  brunt  of  the  rebel  attack,  was  the  salvation  of  our 
army  in  that  second  day’s  fight.  It  shattered  their  lines  in  the  first  onset;  it 
retarded  their  advance,  and  when  they  finally  swung  around  and  met  our 
obstinate  resistance  here,  in  the  Wheatfield,  and  that  of  the  124th  N.  Y., 
the  Fourth  Maine,  the  40th  N.  Y.  and  other  regiments  on  our  left,  by  the 
“ Devil’s  Den  ” and  in  the  “Valley  of  Death,”  time  had  been  gained  for  the 
Fifth  corps  to  come  up,  hold  and  successfully  defend  the  “Round  Tops” 
and  other  points  on  our  left.  If  Sickles  had  formed  his  line  on  the  prolonga- 
tion of  the  line  of  the  Second  corps,  in  the  depression  of  the  land  which  you 
see,  and  had  there  awaited  the  rebel  attack,  with  their  outnumbering  forces 
they  would  have  gained  possession  of  the  “ Round  Tops,”  and  our  left  flank 
would  have  been  irretrievably  turned.  So,  too,  is  due  to  the  gallant  and 
accomplished  General  Warren  the  credit  of  seeing  the  strategic  importance 
of  the  “ Round  Tops,”  and  of  ordering  them  to  be  occupied  by  the  Fifth 
corps,  which,  after  as  brave  and  desperate  fighting  as  was  ever  seen  on  any 
field,  completed  the  repulse  of  the  rebels  on  our  left.  On  our  right,  the 
morning  of  the  3d,  by  attacking  and  driving  back  Ewell’s  corps,  General 
Slocum  made  amends  for  his  still  unexplained  failure  to  come  to  the  help  of 
Reynolds  and  Howard  on  the  afternoon  of  the  1st,  while  General  Hancock’s 
magnificent  repulse  of  Pickett’s  charge  in  the  afternoon  is  too  well  known  to 
need  praise  or  comment  here.  Each  of  these  general  officers,  with  the  pos- 
sible exception  hinted  at,  did  the  right  thing  at  the  right  time.  Together, 
but  not  simultaneously,  they  forged  a chain  of  defense  in  which  the  breaking 
of  any  link  would  have  been  disastrous  to  the  Union  cause. 

As  to  no  general  officer  belongs  the  special  credit  for  what  was  accom- 
plished here,  so  no  particular  corps,  division,  brigade  or  regiment  can  claim 
precedence  of  its  fellows  in  contributing  to  the  successful  result.  There  was, 
probably,  no  battle  in  the  war  where  the  fighting  was  more  evenly  distributed 
among  the  troops  engaged.  With  the  exception  of  the  Sixth  corps,  which, 
through  no  fault  of  its  own,  did  not  arrive  on  the  field  until  late  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  second  day,  and  was  only  partially  engaged  on  our  left,  every 
corps  in  all  its  parts  was  actively  engaged  at  some  period  of  the  battle,  as 
the  official  reports  of  losses  show.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  too,  in  the  light  of 
the  subsequent  history  of  the  war,  that  this  battle  was  fought  entirely  by 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  : HOBSON’S  ORATION. 


219 


troops  who  had  voluntarily  enlisted  for  the  defense  of  their  country'.  No 
conscriptnor  bounty  jumper  aimed  here  his  unwilling  musket  at  his  country’s 
foes.  The  cohorts  of  the  lame,  the  halt,  the  deaf,  the  blind,  and  the  aged, 
with  their  gray  hair  dyed  to  the  semblance  of  youth,  who,  from  the  follow- 
ing fall  to  the  close  of  the  war,  filled  our  ambulances  and  hospitals,  and 
obstructed  the  prosecution  of  the  war,  had  not  then  made  their  appearance. 
The  rapacious  and  unscrupulous  recruiting  officer  had  not  then  sent  forward 
his  levies  from  the  slums  of  the  cities  and  the  jails  of  the  counties.  None  of 
these  can  claim  any  share  in  this  glorious  victory.  It  was  won  by  men  who 
had  a personal  interest  in  the  issue,  who  knew  what  that  interest  was,  and 
were  willing  to  risk  their  lives  for  the  success  of  the  cause  for  which  they 
fought.  For  this  reason,  and  because  they  recognized  the  supreme  impor- 
tance of  the  crisis,  I think  there  was  no  battle  in  the  war  where  it  was  so 
little  necessary  for  officers  to  look  out  for,  or  watch  over,  their  men.  Every 
man  was  an  officer  to  himself.  So  it  can  be  said,  in  all  truth,  and  must  be 
said  that  to  the  humblest  rear  rank  private,  who  fought  here,  is  due  as  much 
honor  and  reverence  for  what  he  did,  as  even  to  the  commander-in-chief. 

In  addition  to  the  special  characteristics  of  the  battle  heretofore  men- 
tioned, it  may  also  be  said  that,  if  we  consider  the  extent  of  territory  covered 
by  the  conflict,  the  number  of  troops  engaged,  the  proportion  of  losses  to  the 
number  engaged  in  the  action,  the  length  of  time  the  contest  continued,  the 
skill  and  bravery  and  even  the  desperation  shown  on  both  sides,  and  last 
and  greatest  of  all,  the  magnitude  of  the  issues  involved,  it  must  be  reckoned 
as  one  of  the  greatest  and  most  important  battles  ever  fought  upon  the  face 
of  the  globe.  I said  the  magnitude  of  the  issues  involved.  The  other  ele- 
ments to  be  considered  can  be  weighed  with  almost  mathematical  accuracy, 
but  no  human  scales  can  determine  the  weight  and  value  of  the  victory  at 
Gettysburg.  Fortunately  for  us,  fortunately  for  the  world,  we  shall  never 
know  what  the  result  would  have  been  if  victory  had  perched  on  the  other 
banners.  We  only  know  that  the  hands  on  the  dial  which  mark  the  progress 
of  civilization  would  have  been  turned  back  for  an  indefinite  period. 

The  history  of  that  one  word,  civilization,  in  its  primary  and  derived 
meanings,  would  give  a more  complete  idea  of  the  world’s  progress  than 
all  the  histories  that  have  ever  been  written.  In  its  primary,  active  sense  it 
denotes  simply  the  making  a man  a citizen.  In  its  later,  derived  and  passive 
sense  it  includes  all  those  advances  and  improvements  in  the  arts,  sciences, 
literature  and  morals  which  entitle  a nation  to  call  itself  civilized.  That  word 
civilized  has  no  synonyms,  nor  does  it  need  any.  You  all  know  what 
it  means. 

Now,  I undertake  to  say,  that  there  is  a logical  and  historical  connection 
between  the  active  and  the  passive  sense  of  this  word;  that  in  all  ages  and  in 
all  nations  the  development  and  advance  of  what  we  call  civilization,  in  its 
ordinary  sense,  has  been  in  direct  ratio  to  the  exercises  of  the  rights,  duties 
and  powers  of  a citizen  on  the  part  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  different 
nations.  And  as,  in  a democracy  only,  does  a citizen  obtain  the  full  exer- 
cise of  his  rights,  duties  and  powers,  so  only  in  a democracy  can  be  found 
the  highest  development  of  civilization. 

All  the  forms  of  government  which  have  ever  existed  may  be  brought 
under  one  of  three  classes,  a theocracy,  an  aristocracy,  or  a democracy.  Of 


220 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


these  three  forms  theocracy  is  suited  to  man’s  lowest,  and  democracy  to 
his  highest,  development.  The  failure  of  the  republics  of  Greece  and  Rome 
was  owing  to  the  fact  that  they  did  not  recognize  the  vital  principles  of 
democracy,  the  equality  of  all  people  before  the  law.  They  undertook  to 
reconcile  liberty  and  slavery  under  the  same  form  of  government,  a mis- 
take which  must  always  prove  fatal  to  a democracy.  It  was  the  same 
mistake  which  came  so  near  proving  fatal  to  our  form  of  government,  and 
which  culminated  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  The  founders  of  our  government 
saw  this  danger,  and,  if  they  had  forecast  the  future,  would  undoubtedly  have 
made  the  abolition  of  slavery  one  of  the  conditions  of  the  formation  of  the 
Federal  Union.  They  knew  perfectly  well,  from  the  logic  of  ethics  and  from 
the  lessons  of  history,  that  liberty  and  slavery  could  not  co-exist  for  any  length 
of  time  under  the  same  form  of  government.  But  the  necessity  of  superseding 
the  old  confederation,  which  was  a mere  rope  of  sand,  by  a Union  which 
should  create  a Nation,  and  the  fact  that  slavery  was  dying  out  from  natural 
causes,  and  at  that  time  bade  fair  to  be  eliminated  before  many  years,  led  to 
a compromise  in  the  formation  of  the  Constitution  which  flatly  contradicted 
the  first  clause  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  foundation  principle 
of  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  by  recognizing  the  institution  of  slavery, 
and  throwing  certain  safeguards  around  it,  without  even  mentioning  the 
word  slave. 

It  is  needless  to  recount  how  the  hopes  and  expectations  of  the  founders 
of  the  Constitution  were  disappointed.  The  history  of  the  country  from  1789 
to  1861  is  familiar  to  you  all,  as  also  that  slavery,  from  being  regarded  as  an 
institution  merely  to  be  tolerated  for  a limited  time,  came  to  claim,  and  did 
actually  obtain,  a dominant  influence  in  national  politics,  as  a matter  of  right. 
The  history  of  the  compromise  in  the  formation  of  the  Constitution  was  the 
same  as  the  history  of  all  compromises  between  right  and  wrong.  It  merely 
postponed  the  evil  day.  Wrong  intrenched  itself,  and  only  made  it  more 
difficult  for  right  to  prevail,  when  it  was  finally  forced  to  the  conflict,  as  it 
always  must  be. 

The  inevitable  tendency  of  the  existence  of  slavery,  in  the  midst  of  insti- 
tutions otherwise  free,  had  not  been  unobserved.  More  than  fifty  years  ago, 
De  Tocqueville,  the  eminent  French  statesman,  visited  this  country  and  spent 
two  years  in  the  careful  study  of  the  working  of  our  institutions.  He  seems 
to  have  been  the  only  foreigner  who  ever  thoroughly  understood  them,  and 
in  his  famous  book,  “ Democracy  in  America,”  published  after  his  return, 
he  pointed  out  slavery  as  the  chief  source  of  our  danger,  and  foretold  the 
troubles  to  which  it  would  give  rise.  He  could  only  foretell,  however,  nor 
could  any  one  prevent.  Moral  laws  work  as  certainly  and  as  remorselessly 
in  the  domain  of  politics  as  do  the  laws  which  govern  the  operations  of  nature. 

“ Mute  thought  has  a sonorous  echo,”  says  an  eminent  French  writer. 
He  might  have  added  that  the  reverberations  of  the  echo  are  proportioned 
to  the  moral  power  of  the  thought.  The  thunders  of  the  artillery  at  Gettys- 
burg, louder  than  had  ever  before  been  heard  on  an  open  field  of  battle,  were 
the  echoes  of  the  preamble  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  They  pro- 
claimed that  none  but  free  men  should  live  in  a free  country,  and  that  they 
all  should  have  equal  rights  and  power  under  the  laws.  Only  in  this  way 
can  a free  government  exist,  as  the  framers  and  signers  of  the  Declaration 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  : HOBSON’S  ORATION. 


221 


well  understood.  The  war  of  the  rebellion  was,  then,  a contest  on  the  part 
of  the  government  for  self-preservation,  a duty  as  incumbent  on  a democracy 
as  upon  an  individual. 

The  nation  had  shown  its  power  to  resist  foreign  foes;  would  it  be  able 
to  overcome  those  of  its  own  household?  Should  the  balance  between  the 
centripetal  and  centrifugal  forces,  under  which  it  had  been  intended  that  the 
members  of  our  political  system  should  move  in  harmony  around  a common 
centre,  be  disturbed,  and  these  members  be  allowed  to  drift  off  into  space  at 
their  own  will,  perhaps  hereafter  to  be  constantly  coming  into  collision  with 
one  another?  These  questions  were  decisively  answered  at  Gettysburg.  The 
end  did  not  come  then,  but  it  was  made  certain.  No  rational  person  doubted 
the  outcome  after  Gettysburg.  The  red-handed  perjurer  and  usurper  who 
then  sat  on  the  throne  of  France,  waiting  and  wishing  and  plotting,  but  not 
daring  to  interpose  for  the  destruction  of  a government  which  his  own  nation 
had  helped  to  establish,  concealed  more  carefully,  if  he  did  not  cease,  his 
machinations.  The  tories  of  England,  the  enemies  of  everybody  but  them- 
selves, confined  their  assistance  to  the  Confederates  to  such  acts  as  could 
not  be  made  the  pretext  for  war.  Thenceforward  to  a much  greater  extent 
than  before,  the  sympathies  and  the  moral  support  of  the  civilized  world  were 
on  the  side  of  the  Union.  The  battle  of  Gettysburg  had  shown  the  possi- 
bility and  the  probability,  ay,  the  certainty,  of  the  fulfillment  of  Bishop  Berke- 
ley’s famous  prophecy: 

“Westward  the  course  of  empire  takes  its  way, 

The  four  first  acts  already  past; 

A fifth  shall  close  the  drama  with  the  day, 

Time’s  noblest  offspring  is  the  last.” 

The  fulfillment  of  this  prophecy  will  result  from  the  lessons  taught  by  the 
war,  lessons  which  ought  to  be  self-evident,  that  a democratic  form  of  gov- 
ernment can  be  permanent  only  when  all  men  living  within  it  have  equal 
rights  under  the  laws,  and  have  sufficient  intelligence  and  moral  sense  to 
exercise  those  rights  and  discharge  the  duties  arising  from  them.  The  gov- 
ernment being  under  obligation  to  prolong  its  own  existence,  as  the  expressed 
wish  of  the  people,  has  the  right  and  the  power  to  enforce  the  performance 
of  these  conditions.  An  education  sufficient  to  enable  a man  to  transact  the 
ordinary  business  of  life,  which  shall  include  those  principles  of  morals  which 
underlie  all  religions,  should  be  made  compulsory  upon  those  who  hereafter 
may  aspire  to  the  privilege  of  suffrage.  Intelligence  and  morality  are  the 
foundation  of  republican  institutions.  Beyond  that  every  man  may  safely 
exercise  his  own  belief,  be  he  heathen  or  Christian,  Hebrew  or  Mohamme- 
dan, or,  to  speak  in  a paradox,  even  have  no  religious  belief  at  all.  Recent 
developments  seem  to  make  plain  also  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  government 
in  the  exercise  of  the  instinct  of  self-preservation  to  prevent  the  immigration 
of  those  misguided  people  who  are  hostile  to  all  forms  of  government.  Their 
belief  may  be  due  to  the  unfortunate  conditions  under  which  they  were  born 
and  bred  in  foreign  lands,  but  it  is  clearly  not  the  duty  of  this  country  to 
harbor  those  who  confess  allegiance  to  none. 

In  considering  the  supreme  importance  of  the  victory  at  Gettysburg,  I 
could  not  help  making  these  suggestions.  They  seem  naturally  to  arise  from 
the  subject.  They  might  be  expanded  into  volumes,  but  I can  trust  the 


222 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


common  sense  of  this  audience  to  take  them  and  work  them  out  to  their 
proper  conclusion. 

One  more  peculiarity  of  the  victory  at  Gettysburg,  considered  as  the 
turning  point  of  the  war.  Although  only  twenty-five  years  have  elapsed,  yet 
already,  both  victors  and  vanquished  unite  in  expressions  of  satisfaction  at 
the  result.  Nowhere  else  in  the  past  history  of  the  world  can  this  be  paral- 
leled. It  was  hundreds  of  years  after  the  conquest  of  England  by  William 
the  Conqueror  before  Anglo  Saxon  and  Norman  grew  together  into  a homo- 
geneous nation,  and  the  Frenchman  of  to-day  has  still  an  antipathy  to  “per- 
fidious Albin,”  because  it  humbled  the  eagles  of  Napoleon  at  Waterloo. 
This  heretofore  has  always  been  the  case  between  conquerors  and  con- 
quered. Family  quarrels  have  ever  been  proverbial  for  their  bitterness,  and 
this  was  bitter  enough  while  it  lasted.  The  era  of  fraternal  feelings  between 
north  and  south,  which  has  already  arrived,  is  an  auspicious  omen  for  the 
future. 

And  here  let  me  say,  we  could  take  no  credit  for  what  we  did  on  this 
field  if  we  had  not  been  confronted  by  men  as  brave  as  ourselves.  I saw  the 
famous  charge  of  Pickett’s  division  on  the  third  day.  A more  magnificent 
sight  I never  saw  than  when,  after  forming,  they  advanced  across  the  fields 
towards  the  Emmitsburg  road.  I have  read  the  history  of  many  famous 
charges,  but  never  of  one  that  marched  so  far  and  so  steadily  into  the  very 
jaws  of  hell.  No  straggling,  no  falling  out,  except  by  those  disabled  by  our 
merciless  fire,  they  advanced  till  further  advance  was  an  impossibility.  As 
the  Seventeenth  Maine  lay  on  picket  that  night  on  the  ground  over  which 
they  advanced,  and  I saw,  the  next  morning,  eight  or  ten  files  front  lying  on 
their  faces,  side  by  side,  as  evenly  as  if  placed  by  hand,  where  our  canister 
had  swept  through  them,  ending  their  forward  movement  and  their  lives  at 
the  same  time,  I realized  more  than  ever  the  horrors  of  war  and  the  bravery 
of  the  men  we  had  been  fighting. 

So,  with  all  honor  to  the  men  we  fought  here,  and  with  no  desire  for 
self-laudation,  we  have  come  to  dedicate  this  monument,  set  up  in  the  interest 
of  history  to  mark  the  spot  where  the  Seventeenth  Maine  regiment,  the  first 
in  the  famous  “ Wheatfield,”  the  “Whirlpool,”  as  it  has  been  aptly  called, 
did  its  duty  to  the  best  of  its  ability.  We  should  be  doing  injustice  to  them 
and  to  ourselves  did  not  those  monuments  do  honor  also  to  the  brave  men 
who  here  gave  up  their  lives.  The  pathetic  and  eloquent  words  of  our  mar- 
tyred President,  chiseled  upon  the  stone  in  yonder  cemetery,  immortal  as 
the  deeds  they  commemorate,  will  never  be  equalled;  but  it  is  a question 
whether  those  who  die  for  their  country,  even  as  he  also  died,  are  not  rather 
to  be  congratulated.  “ Dulce  el  decorum  est  pro  patria  mori ,”  “It  is  pleas- 
ant and  honorable  to  die  for  one’s  country,”  said  the  Latin  poet,  2,000  years 
ago,  and  modern  sentiment  echoes  his  words: 

“ Come  to  the  bridal  chamber,  death! 

Come  to  the  mother  when  she  feels, 

For  the  first  time,  her  first-born’s  breath; 

Come  when  the  blessed  seals 
That  close  the  pestilence  are  broke, 

And  crowded  cities  wail  its  stroke; 

Come  in  consumption’s  ghastly  form, 

The  earthquake  shock,  the  ocean  storm; 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


223 


Come  where  the  heart  beats  high  and  warm, 

With  banquet  song,  and  dance,  and  wine; 

And  thou  art  terrible — the  tear, 

The  groan,  the  knell,  the  pall,  the  bier, 

And  all  we  know,  or  dream,  or  fear, 

Of  agony  are  thine. 

“ But  to  the  hero,  when  his  sword 
Has  won  the  battle  for  the  free, 

Thy  voice  sounds  like  a prophet’s  word, 

And  in  its  hollow  tones  are  heard 
The  thanks  of  millions  yet  to  be.” 

After  the  oration  was  concluded  remarks  were  made  by 
Colonel  Bachelder,  in  which  he  highly  complimented  the  Sev- 
enteenth regiment. 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  George  W.  West,  formerly  Major  and 
Colonel  of  the  Seventeenth,  also  made  a few  remarks,  describing 
the  movements  of  the  regiment  in  the  Wheatfield,  and  his  great 
gratification  that  this  worthy  memorial  had  been  erected  to 
commemorate  the  services  of  those  who  fell  here,  and  likewise 
of  those  who  survived. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Merrill,  the  representative  of  the  Seven- 
teenth as  one  of  the  Maine  Commissioners,  sent  a letter  of 
regret  that  illness  prevented  his  attendance. 

The  monument  was  then  turned  over  to  the  Gettysburg 
Memorial  Association  by  Colonel  Moore,  to  be  cared  for  until 
such  time  as  the  State  of  Maine  should  present  this  and  the 
monuments  of  the  other  organizations  in  a more  formal  manner. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

BY  CAPTAIN  GEORGE  AV.  VERRILL. 

(NECROLOGIST  OF  SEVENTEETH  MAINE  REGIMENT  ASSOCIATION.) 

The  Seventeenth  Maine  Regiment  of  Volunteers  was  raised 
by  voluntary  enlistments  under  President  Lincoln’s  call  of  July 
2,  1862,  for  three  hundred  thousand  for  three  years’  service. 
Those  in  the  most  western  part  of  the  state  naturally  gravitated 
to  an  appointed  rendezvous  at  Portland,  Me.  The  ranks  were 
full  and  overflowing  within  about  thirty  days  after  the  procla- 
mation went  forth.  The  following  counties  contributed  to 
make  up  the  thousand  strong  which  formed  the  organization : 


224 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Androscoggin,  152  ; Cumberland,  398  ; Franklin,  84  ; Kenne- 
bec, 6 ; Knox,  17  ; Oxford,  168  ; Sagadahoc,  2 ; Somerset,  3 ; 
York,  178  ; Aroostook,  Lincoln,  Penobscot  and  Piscataquis,  1 
each  : 7 were  residents  of  other  states  and  3 out  of  the  country. 

Few  had  seen  service  ; some  had  belonged  to  military  com- 
panies. All  were  anxious  to  learn  and  the  "awkward  squad” 
was  apparent  about  "Camp  King,”  our  rendezvous,  across  Fore 
River  from  Portland.  Some  of  the  officers  had  been  selected 
in  advance — Thomas  A.  Roberts,  for  our  Colonel,  had  been 
Captain  of  an  independent  military  company  of  Portland ; his 
son,  Charles  W.,  a Lieutenant  serving  in  the  Tenth  Maine,  for 
our  Adjutant.  We  were  also  fortunate  in  securing  Captain 
George  Warren  West  from  the  Tenth  Maine,  for  our  Major,  a 
strict  disciplinarian  and  a thorough  military  man.  Charles  B. 
Merrill,  a lawyer  of  Portland,  for  our  Lieutenant-Colonel ; his 
patriotic  fervor  impelled  him  into  the  service.  As  was  cus- 
tomary, the  line  officers  were  mostly  selected  in  recognition  of 
recruiting  services.  By  the  time  the  regiment  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  it  could  perform  some  simple 
evolutions  ; with  its  long  line  formed  in  dress  parade  it  greatly 
edified  the  ladies  who  graciously  attended  the  function.  The 
muster-in  occurred  August  18,  1862.  The  following  was  the 
original  organization : — 

O O 

FIELD,  STAFF,  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Thomas  A.  Roberts,  Portland. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Charles  B.  Merrill,  Portland. 

Major,  George  W.  West,  Somerville,  Mass. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Roberts,  Portland. 

Quartermaster,  J.  T.  Waterhouse,  Portland. 

Surgeon,  H.  L.  K.  Wiggin,  Auburn. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  William  Wescott,  Standish. 

Chaplain,  Harvey  Hersey,  Calais,  Vt. 

Sergeant-Major,  Henry  L.  Bartels,  Portland. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Charles  W.  Richardson,  Portland. 

Commissary- Sergeant,  Josiah  Remick,  Portland. 

Hospital  Steward,  Nathaniel  B.  Coleman,  Portland. 

Drum-Major,  John  C.  McArdle,  Paris. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  William  H.  Savage,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  P.  Mattocks,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  M.  Brown,  Portland. 


225 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  George  W.  Martin,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Willard  M.  Jenkins,  Fryeburg. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  C.  Pennell,  Portland. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  Augustus  Goldermann,  Minot. 

First  Lieutenant,  Otho  W.  Burnham,  Poland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  A.  Perry,  Portland. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Isaac  S.  Faunce,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Milton  M.  Young,  Lewiston. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  C.  Perry,  Portland. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  Ellis  M.  Sawyer,  Cape  Elizabeth. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  W.  S.  Fickett,  Cape  Elizabeth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  Roberts,  Yarmouth. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  Albion  Hersey,  Paris. 

First  Lieutenant,  Uriah  W.  Briggs,  Norway. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  M.  Safford,  Portland. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Edward  I.  Merrill,  Farmington. 

First  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  G.  Ames,  Phillips. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Prescott  New'man,  Phillips. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  Almon  L.  Fogg,  Westbrook. 

First  Lieutenant,  Dudley  H.  Johnson,  Presque  Isle. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Echvard  Moore,  Portland. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  William  Hobson,  Saco. 

First  Lieutenant,  Putnam  S.  Boothby,  Biddeford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  O.  Thompson,  Portland. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Andrew'  J.  Stinson,  Kittery. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  P.  Swasey,  Canton. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Madison  K.  Mabry,  Hiram. 

The  new  regiment  made  a brave  show  when  on  August  21st 
it  broke  camp,  marched  through  the  streets  of  Portland  lined 
with  enthusiastic  people,  and  started  south  ''for  three  years  or 
the  war.”  We  journeyed  to  Washington  by  rail  and  boat 
without  interruption  or  accident,  except  the  shock  occasioned 
by  finding  ourselves  packed  into  box  cars  at  Baltimore  instead 
of  ordinary  passenger  cars  as  previously.  We  survived  the 
shock,  however,  as  we  did  many  others  afterwards,  common  to 
a soldier’s  life.  August  23d  relieved  the  9th  R.  I.  in  a line 
of  forts  on  east  branch  of  the  Potomac,  running  up  from  the 
main  river.  The  situation  was  admirable, — an  ideal  camping 
ground.  Sickness,  however,  incident  to  change  of  climate, 
prevailed.  We  drilled  with  the  heavy  ordnance,  as  well  as  in 
infantry  tactics.  While  we  were  here  the  battles  of  Second 
Bull  Run  and  Antietam  both  occurred.  The  boom  of  cannon 
and  steady  roll  of  small  arms  in  both  engagements  were  plainly 


226 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


heard,  although  in  a direct  line  they  were  distant  from  us 
thirty-five  and  fifty  miles  respectively. 

Joining  the  Army.  — October  7th  we  bade  adieu  to  fort 
life  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  the  field.  On  the  cap- 
itol  steps  we  rested  three  hours  before  crossing  Long  bridge. 
Our  course  was  up  the  Potomac.  At  Upton’s  Hill  joined 
Berry’s  brigade,  Birney’s  (First)  division,  Third  corps.  The 
brigade  was  then  composed  of  1st,  37th,  55th  N.  Y.,  2d,  5th 
Mich,  and  Seventeenth  Maine,  regiments.  The  square,  red 
patch  marking  Kearny’s  men  was  proudly  worn  by  the  veterans. 
Raw  troops  were  not  allowed  them  until  proof  of  worthiness 
in  battle  was  shown. 

October  11th  crossed  into  Maryland  over  Chain  bridge,  and 
arrived  two  days  later  near  Edward’s  Ferry,  where  we  remained 
picketing  the  river  and  canal  until  October  28th.  Our  regiment 
had  not  been  supplied  with  tents  or  " shelter  pieces  ” until  Octo- 
ber 26th,  although  the  weather  all  along  was  cold  and  rainy. 
The  hardships  endured  thus  far  doubtless  lessened  the  effective 
strength  of  the  regiment  by  more  than  100  men,  equivalent  to 
a large  battle  loss,  many  being  permanently  used  up.  Thus 
we  became  soldiers.  A remaining  badge  of  our  rawness,  how- 
ever, was  the  knapsack,  bloated  with  relics  of  a past  refinement, 
weighing  from  twenty  pounds  upwards.  The  knapsack  became 
obsolete  in  our  division  in  the  1864  campaign. 

October  28th  forded  the  Potomac  at  White’s  Ford,  where 
the  river  was  waist-deep  and  about  one-third  mile  wide.  The 
army,  under  McClellan,  moved  along  the  foot-hills,  keeping 
pace  with  Lee,  who  moved  up  the  Shenandoah  valley  beyond 
the  Blue  Ridge.  We  marched  via  Middleburg,  White  Plains 
and  Salem  to  Waterloo  on  the  north  fork  of  the  Rappahannock, 
and  we  remained  in  this  vicinity  several  days,  during  which 
time  Burnside  succeeded  McClellan  in  command  of  the  army. 
Here  a new  plan  of  operations  was  made,  with  Falmouth,  on  the 
Rappahannock,  as  a point  for  concentration.  Accordingly, 
on  November  16th  the  march  began ; on  the  2 2d  we  went  into 
camp  around  Falmouth.  The  time  in  camp  was  fully  occupied 
in  drills,  inspections  and  ineffectual  attempts  to  keep  comfort- 
able and  in  health,  during  a very  cold  spell  in  a bleak  situation, 
until  December  11th. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


227 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  — Early  on  December  11th 
the  regiment,  under  Col.  Thomas  A.  Roberts,  numbering  628 
men  and  officers,  broke  camp  and  marched  towards  Fredericks- 
burg, remaining  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  that  night. 
Next  morning  we  moved  down  the  river  to  the  left  of  our  lines. 
Crossed  the  Rappahannock  on  Saturday,  December  13th,  at 
noon,  on  a pontoon  bridge,  and  marched  to  our  allotted  place 
under  shelling  from  the  enemy’s  guns.  Soon  the  enemy  made 
an  advance  of  infantry  to  turn  Birney’s  left  or  seize  his  batteries 
posted  in  our  front.  To  repel  this  attack  General  Berry  threw 
out  the  Seventeenth  to  the  left  of  the  batteries  in  line  of  battle, 
speedily  checking  the  onset  with  a few  rounds.  We  lay  on  the 
field  subjected  to  frequent  shelling  until  our  army  retired  on 
the  night  of  December  15th.  Our  loss  was  three  killed  and 
mortally  wounded,  and  seventeen  wounded. 

Next  day  returned  to  our  camp,  when  General  Birney 
declared  in  orders  that  the  new  regiments  had  shown  themselves 
"fully  worthy  of  the  'Red  Patch,’  and  I,  in  the  name  of  the 
division,  acknowledge  them  as  members  in  full  standing.” 
General  Berry  also  complimented  the  Seventeenth  in  his  official 
report.  Nevertheless,  there  was  a feeling  of  disappointment 
in  the  air ; visions  of  valiant  deeds  and  fierce  personal  encoun- 
ters faded  unrealized.  A soldier  appreciates  his  individuality 
never  so  much  as  in  his  first  battle.  The  regiment  changed  camp 
ground  twice  during  the  succeeding  inactivity  of  the  army. 

January  20,  1863,  Burnside’s  second  campaign  began.  His 
general  order  was  read  to  each  regiment  announcing  that  we 
"were  about  to  meet  the  enemy  again.”  Fortified  with  this 
assurance  we  started  out,  and  at  night  brought  up  at  Scott’s 
Mill,  near  the  Rappahannock,  where  we  went  into  bivouac  with- 
out any  fires  or  loud  sounds,  for  it  was  intended  to  surprise  the 
enemy,  and  next  morning  our  brigade  was  to  lead  and  force  the 
crossing.  With  this  pleasing  anticipation,  and  a drizzling  rain, 
and  no  coffee,  we  slept  the  sleep  of  the  just.  The  rain  con- 
tinued, and  it  is  matter  of  history  that  we  did  not  meet  the 
enemy ; but  we  could  read  the  derisive  placard  of  the  Johnnies 
across  the  river  : " Stuck  in  the  mud.” 

General  Hooker  succeeded  Burnside  January  26th  in  com- 


228 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


mand  of  the  army.  Improvement  in  rations  and  morale  followed 
the  change.  We  lost  General  Berry  by  his  promotion  to  Major- 
General  and  command  of  the  Second  division  of  our  corps. 

Before  the  spring  campaign  opened  many  deaths  occurred, 
and  many  were  discharged  for  "disability,”  including  several 
officers  who  resigned.  Promotions  followed,  to  fill  vacancies, 
and  the  Seventeenth  was  "boiled  down,”  well-seasoned  and  pro- 
ficient in  drill. 

The  Cedars  and  Chancellorsville. — April  28th  the 
Third  corps,  under  General  Sickles,  moved  down  the  river  as 
a feint ; thence  on  the  30th  we  marched  rapidly  up  river,  in  a 
tortuous  course,  to  United  States  Ford,  arriving  after  midnight, 
and  crossed  the  river  early  on  May  1st.  The  men  carried  on 
the  person  eight  days’  rations  and  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition. 
May  1st  the  regiment  numbered  nearly  500,  rank  and  file,  under 
command  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Merrill  (Colonel  Roberts  being- 
absent  on  sick  leave) . The  brigade  was  under  Colonel  Hay- 
man,  a regular  army  officer.  The  day  passed  in  manoeuvring, 
and  that  night  we  lay  upon  the  Plank  Road,  connecting  to  left 
of  Eleventh  corps.  May  2d  Sickles  pushed  forward  several 
miles  on  a reconnaissance  in  force  ; a lively  and  successful  skir- 
mish with  the  enemy  ensued  until  sundown,  taking  prisoners. 
At  dusk  word  came  of  the  crushing  attack  of  Jackson  upon  the 
Eleventh  corps,  reporting  the  latter  to  be  destroyed,  and  that 
we  were  cut  off  by  Jackson  from  the  rest  of  our  army.  We 
silently  and  gloomily  retraced  our  steps  to  Hazel  Grove,  an  open 
plateau  about  a half  mile  from  the  Chancellor  House.  From 
this  plateau  our  division  made  a night  attack,  known  as  the 
" midnight  charge,”  upon  Jackson’s  troops  lying  between  us 
and  the  Plank  road.  The  operations  of  Sickles’  corps  May  2d 
were  known  as  the  battle  of  The  Cedars.  Stonewall  Jackson 
was  mortally  wounded  in  the  evening,  and  this  great  loss  to 
the  Confederate  cause  is  directly  traceable  to  General  Sickles’ 
operations.  Sunday,  May  3d,  about  5 o’clock,  General  Stuart, 
who  succeeded  Jackson,  resumed  the  battle,  the  weight  of  it 
falling  upon  Sickles’  corps  and  a division  of  the  Twelfth,  the 
Eleventh  corps  infantry  having  been  re-formed  near  the  river. 
The  battle  raged  furiously  and  incessantly  until  about  noon.  The 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


229 


Seventeenth,  with  its  brigade,  was  placed  south  of  the  Chan- 
cellor House,  in  an  advanced  position,  lying  flat  on  the  ground, 
supporting  a battery,  when  the  onslaught  was  made.  The  enemy’s 
artillery  played  upon  and  over  us  from  many  cannon  at  Hazel 
Grove,  and  our  own  artillery  fired  over  us  in  reply.  Musketry 
fire  from  two  directions  also  came  into  us  from  beyond  our 
infantry  lines.  The  enemy  at  one  time  broke  through  in  front, 
and  came  for  the  battery.  Our  brigade  at  once,  under  the  lead 
of  General  Birney,  made  a counter-charge,  putting  them  to  rout 
and  taking  a batch  of  prisoners.  W e then  took  up  a new  position, 
as  the  battery  was  withdrawn.  The  Seventeenth  was  the  last 
infantry  to  go  from  the  field  south  of  the  Chancellor  House. 
Later  in  the  day  it  was  placed  in  a line  of  works  at  the  White 
House.  Except  by  heavy  shelling  we  were  not  greatly  molested 
there.  At  4p.m.  our  brigade  was  advanced  outside  the  breast- 
works, prepared  to  charge  if  the  enemy  broke  our  skirmish  line 
in  the  woods  ; but  the  battle  in  that  vicinity  was  over. 

May  5th  Colonel  Roberts  returned.  May  6th  we  recrossed 
the  river,  our  division  being  the  last  withdrawn  from  the  front 
lines,  and  thence  returned  to  our  camp,  as  likewise  did  all  others 
to  their  own.  The  loss  in  the  Seventeenth  in  this  battle  was  : 
killed  and  mortally  wounded,  1 officer  (1st  Lieut.  Dudley  H. 
Johnson)  and  10  enlisted  men ; wounded,  5 officers  (Capt. 
Augustus  Goldermann,  acting  as  field  officer,  Capt.  Edward  I. 
Merrill,  1st  Lieuts.  James  M.  Brown,  Putnam  S.  Boothby  ; 2d 
Lieut.  Thomas  W.  Lord)  and  54  men  ; also  41  taken  prisoners. 
Total,  111. 

June  11th  broke  camp  and  began  the  march  northward 
which  culminated  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  our  route  taking 
us  to  Manassas  Junction,  Centreville  and  Gum  Springs,  Va., 
from  thence,  on  June  25th,  to  the  Potomac,  which  we  crossed 
at  Edwards  Ferry,  on  a pontoon  bridge,  continuing  along  the 
canal  towpath  to  the  Monocacy,  where  we  bivouacked  for  the 
night.  This  day’s  march  of  thirty  miles  was  the  highest  record 
of  the  regiment.  Next  day  proceeded  to  Point  of  Rocks  ; thence 
to  Jefferson  Village,  Middletown,  Frederick  City,  Taneytown, 
Emmitsburg  and  Gettysburg.  The  regiment  took  an  active 
part  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg ; engaged  in  the  Wheatfield 


230 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


July  2d  for  two  hours  and  a half  ; July  3d  supported  Daniel’s 
9th  Mich,  battery,  under  severe  shelling.  A narration  of  this 
battle  is  given  on  another  page,  with  an  account  of  our  losses. 

In  the  pursuit  of  Lee’s  army  after  Gettysburg  the  Third 
corps  started  from  the  field  July  7th.  The  regiment  was 
reduced,  through  casualties  and  sickness,  to  about  150  men. 
The  march  was  through  Emmitsburg,  Frederick  City,  Middle- 
town  and  South  Mountain  Pass,  reaching  Antietam  battlefield 
on  the  10th.  The  enemy  made  a stand,  covering  Williamsport, 
which  nearly  paralyzed  Meade,  and  caused  a halt.  It  was  a 
question  whether  to  attack  or  not.  The  rank  and  file  were  eager 
to  pitch  in,  but  uncertainty  or  timidity  at  headquarters  lasted 
several  days,  during  which  time  Lee  decamped  across  the  Poto- 
mac into  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 

Our  army  crossed  the  river  on  the  17th  and  marched  on 
east  side  of  Blue  Ridge,  reaching  Manassas  Gap  July  22d. 

Wapping  Heights.  — July  23d  we  ran  into  the  rear  guard 
of  Lee.  The  Seventeenth  was  in  the  second  line,  supporting 
the  skirmishers.  Our  only  casualty  was  the  mortal  wounding 
of  Sergt. -Major  Fred  W.  Bosworth  by  a shell. 

Resuming  the  march  the  army  passed  through  Salem  and 
Warrenton,  and  on  J uly  31st  went  into  camp  at  Sulphur  Springs, 
on  the  north  fork  of  the  Rappahannock.  The  Confederate  army 
encamped  beyond  Culpeper ; ours  around  Warrenton.  Both 
settled  down  to  rest  and  recuperate.  To  fill  our  ranks  three 
officers,  Capt.  Charles  P.  Mattocks,  Lieuts.  J.  A.  Perry  and 
W.  H.  Green,  with  a recruiting  squad,  had  been  sent  to  Port- 
land for  recruits  July  24th. 

September  15th  our  army  advanced  down  to  Culpeper  ; Sep- 
tember 23d  we  received  160  recruits  from  Maine.  They  proved 
to  be  of  good  material.  October  11th  General  Lee  took  the 
bit  in  his  teeth.  Very  adroitly  deceiving  Meade,  he  got  a good 
start  upon  the  right  flank  of  the  latter,  and  a complicated  race 
began  for  Centreville  or  some  intermediate  point. 

Auburn.  — In  a blind  fashion  both  Union  and  Confederate 
columns  occasionally  attempted  to  march  on  the  same  road  at 
the  same  time.  This  occurred  on  October  13th,  when  Stuart’s 
cavalry  got  upon  our  road  at  Auburn  on  Cedar  Run.  Our 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


231 


brigade  ran  into  a brigade  of  this  cavalry  and  a brisk  skirmish 
ensued  for  a couple  of  hours,  engaging  both  arms  of  the  service. 
The  enemy  was  routed,  leaving  his  dead  and  some  prisoners  and 
horses  behind.  The  Seventeenth  had  one  man  wounded  and 
three  missing.  This  astounding  retrograde  movement  ended 
when  our  troops  reached  Fairfax  Court  House  on  the  15th  of 
October.  Lee  did  not.  attack  our  forces,  but  spent  a couple  of 
days  destroying  the  railroad  track.  On  the  19th  he  disappeared, 
and  Meade  moved  forward.  Our  division  went  into  camp  near 
Catlett’s.  Maj . George  W.  West,  having  been  commissioned  as 
Colonel,  was  mustered  to  that  grade  October  22d,  and  assumed 
command  of  the  regiment,  which  had  now  acquired  a strength 
of  about  375,  rank  and  file. 

Kelly’s  Ford. — November  7th  our  army  advanced  across 
the  Rappahannock,  the  Seventeenth  crossing  at  Kelly’s  Ford 
where,  behind  works,  some  resistance  was  made  and  a few  hun- 
dred prisoners  secured  who  appeared  glad  to  be  taken  in  out  of 
the  cold.  Next  day  pushed  forward  in  line  of  battle  to  Brandy 
Station,  from  which  our  southern  neighbors  fled  at  our  approach. 
We  prepared  comfortable  quarters  and  enjoyed  them  until 
Meade,  doubtless  remembering  the  ides  of  October,  attempted 
a counter-stroke  upon  Lee’s  right,  beyond  the  Rapidan. 

Locust  Grove  and  Mine  Run. — We  crossed  the  Rapidan 
at  Jacob’s  Ford  in  the  evening  of  November  26th,  and  stopped 
for  the  night  about  a mile  farther  on.  Next  day,  November 
27th,  the  Third  division  took  the  lead  and  struck  the  enemy. 
Our  (First)  division  moved  forward,  formed,  and  was  held  in 
support.  Those  in  front  gave  way.  Advancing  in  line  beyond 
these  men,  new  to  battle,  we  met  the  enemy,  and  a fierce  mus- 
ketry conflict  ensued,  until  every  round  of  our  ammunition  was 
expended.  Just  at  this  moment  a brigade  of  the  Sixth  corps 
(in  which  was  the  Sixth  Maine  regiment)  came  up,  moved 
beyond  our  right  flank,  turned  that  of  the  enemy,  gave  him 
some  volleys  routing  him,  and  the  field  was  ours.  This  action 
occurred  at  a villa  called  Locust  Grove.  This  stand-up  fight 
caused  us  a grievous  loss,  inflicted  unnecessarily  through  the 
incompetency  or  recklessness  of  some  officer,  superior  to  the 
regimental,  who  directed  the  Seventeenth  to  take  the  place  of 


232 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  regiment  it  relieved  ; thus  bringing  the  line  of  the  regiment 
nearly  perpendicular  to,  and  in  front  of,  that  of  the  enemy, 
who,  at  short  range,  made  great  havoc  with  our  right  compa- 
nies, while  the  left  of  the  regiment  was  untouched.  Our  loss 
was  : killed  or  mortally  wounded,  eleven,  of  whom  were  Capt. 
Ellis  M.  Sawyer  (acting  as  Major)  and  1st  Lieut.  James  M. 
Brown ; and  thirty-nine  wounded,  of  whom  was  1st  Lieut.  F. 
A.  Sawyer.  Our  picket,  under  Lieut.  W.  H.  Green,  scooped 
in  about  a dozen  prisoners  the  next  morning. 

On  the  28th  we  moved  some  miles  and  came  to  our  general 
line,  confronting  the  enemy  posted  and  waiting  for  us  on  the 
heights,  in  his  works,  beyond  the  Mine  Run,  a stream  of  some 
width  but  generally  fordable.  Remained  here  the  29th  and 
30th  ready  to  assault  the  works,  which  were  of  a most  formid- 
able character,  at  sound  of  a signal  gun.  We  formed  on  both 
days  to  make  this  hopeless  sacrifice,  momentarily  expecting  the 
signal  to  advance.  It  did  not  sound,  and  the  enterprise  was 
abandoned.  We  marched  all  night,  from  dusk  to  sunrise,  and 
recrossed  the  river  without  molestation ; many  stragglers 
doubtless  fell  into  the  enemy’s  hands.  We  lost  one,  taken 
prisoner.  Returned  to  encampment  at  Brandy  Station  and 
went  into  winter  quarters. 

A new  stand  of  colors,  in  silk,  National  and  State,  with 
eagles,  presented  by  the  merchants  of  Portland  to  the  Seven- 
teenth, was  received  February  22d.  These  were  safely  borne 
through  the  campaigns  of  1864.  March  24th  the  unwelcome 
order  of  consolidation  was  received.  The  Third  corps  was 
merged  into  the  Second,  under  command  of  General  Hancock ; 
the  First  and  Second  divisions  becoming  the  Third  and  Fourth 
divisions  of  the  Second  corps.  General  Birney  retained  com- 
mand of  our  division.  The  veterans  of  the  Third  corps 
retained  their  diamond  patches.  Brigades  were  also  consoli- 
dated. Ours,  to  be  commanded  by  Gen.  Alexander  Hays, 
thus  became  the  Second  brigade  of  Third  division,  Second 
corps,  and  was  composed  of  the  Fourth  and  Seventeenth  Maine, 
3d  and  5th  Mich.,  63d,  57th  and  105th  Penn.,  93d  N.  Y.  and 
1st  U.  S.  Sharpshooters. 

Lieutenant-General  Grant  joined  the  army  in  April.  We 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


233 


vacated  the  winter  huts  on  the  26th  of  that  month,  encamping 
in  shelter  tents  in  open  fields.  We  lay  here  until  the  general 
movement  began  on  May  3d. 

Grant’s  Campaign. — The  Seventeenth  Maine  began  this 
campaign  with  21  officers,  5 acting  officers  (commissioned  but 
not  mustered)  and  439  enlisted  men  in  the  ranks.  The  officers 
were  : Colonel,  George  W.  West ; Captains,  John  C.  Perry  (act- 
ing as  Field  officer),  Joseph  A.  Perry,  Benjamin  C.  Pennell, 
William  H.  Green,  Isaac  S.  Faunce,  Sumner  S.  Richards, 
George  W.  Verrill ; First  Lieutenants,  Frederick  A.  Sawyer, 
John  N.  Morrill,  James  S.  Roberts,  Grenville  F.  Sparrow, 
George  A.  Whidden,  Henry  L.  Bartels,  Wellington  Hobbs; 
Second  Lieutenants,  Stephen  Graff  am,  Franklin  C.  Adams, 
Gustavus  C.  Pratt,  Robert  H.  Mathes,  William  H.  Sturgis, 
Benjamin  Doe.  Acting  officers  : Sergeant-Major,  Edward  H. 
Crie ; Sergeants,  Charles  C.  Cole,  Jordan  M.  Hall,  Joseph  S. 
Hobbs,  and  Newton  W.  Parker.  In  addition  to  these  the  fol- 
lowing combatant  officers  of  the  regiment  were  on  detailed  duty 
in  the  division:  Maj.  Charles  P.  Mattocks,  commanding  1st 
U.  S.  Sharpshooters ; Capt.  Edwin  B.  Houghton,  acting  A.  I. 
G.  on  First  brigade  staff ; Second  Lieut.  Walter  F.  Noyes, 
commanding  brigade  pioneers  (these  went  into  action) . 

Taking  up  the  line  of  march  at  midnight,  May  3d,  we 
crossed  the  Rapidan  on  morning  of  the  4th  at  Ely’s  Ford; 
proceeded  thence  to  the  battle  ground  of  Chancellors ville, 
remaining  there  during  the  day  and  night. 

Battle  or  the  Wilderness. — May  5,  1864,  marched  and 
reached  Todd’s  Tavern  about  noon.  The  enemy — Hill’s  corps 
— having  struck  the  Sixth  corps,  marching  on  the  Brock  road, 
we  were  turned  upon  that  road  and  marched  northward  to  the 
point  where  it  crosses  the  Orange  Plank  road.  The  Seven- 
teenth was  on  the  right  of  the  Second  corps.  About  4 p.  m. 
we  advanced  in  line  of  battle,  parallel  with  the  Brock  road 
through  thick  undergrowth,  until  we  felt  the  enemy.  In  an 
unsuccessful  effort  to  find  connections  upon  our  right,  as 
ordered,  the  regiment  became  separated  from  the  troops  on  our 
left,  but  advanced  upon  Hill  and  forced  him  back  at  his  left 
flank,  after  a fierce  stand-up  fight,  lasting  until  dark,  taking 
about  thirty  prisoners. 


234 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


May  6th,  at  5 o'clock  a.  m.,  in  the  same  formation,  we 
advanced  again,  in  a general  attack  in  line  of  battle,  capturing 
a line  of  breastworks,  routing  the  enemy  and  driving  him 
before  us  a mile  and  a half.  The  Seventeenth  and  Fourth 
Maine,  side  by  side,  pushing  forward,  had  become  the  point  of 
a wedge,  well  driven  through  the  enemy’s  lines.  Arriving  at 
an  opening,  crossed  by  the  Plank  road,  we  halted  under  a sharp 
infantry  tire,  and  that  of  a couple  of  unfriendly  field  pieces,  for 
our  connections  to  come  up.  The  broken  lines  of  the  enemy 
on  our  right  rear,  finding  we  had  outflanked  them,  retreated  in 
a mob,  hundreds  of  them  falling  into  our  hands  as  prisoners, 
whom  we  directed  to  the  rear,  as  we  had  directed  those  taken 
in  the  advance.  Doubtless  all  of  them  were  claimed  by  troops 
at  our  rear  as  their  captures.  Colonel  West,  who  had  already 
lost  his  horse, — shot  under  him, — was  severely  wounded  and 
helped  to  the  rear.  Longstreet,  having  made  dispositions,  put 
in  his  corps.  We  successfully  resisted  his  attack  in  front,  but 
he  forced  an  opening  somewhere  on  the  left  and  towards  our 
rear,  which  caused  our  line  to  fall  back,  under  orders  of  Colonel 
Walker  of  Fourth  Maine,  then  commanding  the  brigade.  Thus 
a glorious  victory  was  allowed  to  slip  which  we  had  held  firmly 
in  our  grasp  ; a single  brigade  at  the  front,  with  us,  could  have 
secured  the  harvest.  At  noontime  our  whole  line,  thus  out- 
generaled, retired,  fighting,  in  good  order  to  the  Brock  road, 
along  which  breastworks  were  built.  Later  in  the  day  we 
received  an  assault  upon  this  line  by  Longstreet’s  corps,  which 
was  repulsed. 

May  7th  advanced  with  the  division,  massed  by  brigades  in 
columns  of  regiments,  to  find  the  enemy, — and  we  found  him, 
lively  enough  with  his  buck  shot  and  artillery,  behind  works. 

The  regiment  lost  in  the  three  days  201.  Of  this  number 
62  were  killed  outright  or  died  of  their  wounds.  The  loss  of 
officers  was  : killed,  2d  Lieut.  Benjamin  Doe  and  acting  2d 
Lieut.  Newton  W.  Parker;  wounded,  Col.  George  W.  West, 
Capt.  Joseph  A.  Perry,  1st  Lieuts.  George  A.  Whidden  (re- 
joined for  duty  May  16th),  Wellington  Hobbs  (rejoined  for 
duty  June  28th),  Henry  L.  Bartels,  Frederick  A.  Sawyer, 
2d  Lieut.  Franklin  C.  Adams  and  acting  2d  Lieut.  Joseph  S. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


235 


Hobbs  (rejoined  for  duty  May  11th).  Major  Mattocks  was 
captured  on  the  skirmish  out-posts,  May  5th,  at  the  first  col- 
lision ; had  this  not  occurred  the  regiment  might  have  regained 
this  field  officer,  after  the  loss  of  Colonel  West.  Owing  to 
our  lack  of  officers,  Major  Moore  of  the  99th  Penn,  was  tem- 
porarily assigned  to  command  the  Seventeenth,  the  word  coming 
from  General  Birney  that  he  had  so  high  a regard  for  the  Sev- 
enteenth that  he  gave  us  the  best  available  field  officer  in  the 
division.  Major  Moore  gallantly  led  us  until  May  16th. 

May  8th  moved  towards  Spotsylvania  as  far  as  Todd’s  Tav- 
ern, where  we  built  works  ; not  engaged,  although  under  fire. 
May  9th  marched  southward  towards  the  Po  river.  The  greater 
portion  of  the  regiment  was  sent  on  picket  across  the  river 
under  Capt.  W.  H.  Green,  senior  of  the  regimental  detail. 

Po  River. — May  10th  the  picket  line  with  some  supports 
advanced  as  skirmishers  and  drove  the  enemy’s  cavalry  a long 
distance,  back  upon  their  infantry  supports.  A large  force  of 
the  latter  rapidly  advanced  upon  our  scattered  line  and  upon 
its  flanks,  intending  to  capture  the  whole.  Our  detachments 
and  the  Fourth  Maine,  the  whole  under  command  of  Col.  Elijah 
Walker  of  that  regiment,  were  skillfully,  although  with  diffi- 
culty and  some  loss,  withdrawn,  rejoining  the  brigade  on  north 
side  of  the  stream.  The  remainder  of  the  10th  and  the  11th 
was  employed  in  supporting  charging  columns,  batteries  and 
skirmishers.  Loss  in  the  two  days  was  one  mortally  wounded, 
seven  wounded  (including  Capt.  S.  S.  Richards),  and  two  miss- 
ing (never  heard  from  and  probably  killed) . 

Spotsylvania. -—-Roused  from  sleep  at  10  o’clock  in  the 
evening  of  May  11th,  we  silently  moved  out  of  our  works  on 
the  right  of  the  line,  and  marched  away  in  the  darkness  and  rain. 
The  regiment  reached  its  destination  just  before  daybreak  May 
12th,  and  was  immediately  placed  in  the  column  already  formed 
to  charge  the  enemy’s  works  at  the  "Salient.”  A short  rest 
while  waiting  for  the  heavy  fog  to  clear.  About  daybreak  the 
charging  column,  composed  of  Barlow’s  (First)  division  and  our 
own  division,  moved  forward  side  by  side,  without  noise  until 
the  picket  line  was  reached  and  captured,  when  some  shots  were 
fired.  Then  with  loud  cheering  we  rushed  forward  for  the 


236 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


works,  through  the  obstructions  and  up  over  the  steep  glacis, 
without  a halt.  The  Seventeenth  entered  in  the  first  line  at  the 
very  angle  of  the  Salient,  on  the  inner  side  of  which  were  deep 
traverses,  a long  line  of  hitched-up  artillery,  and  a mass  of 
Confederates  paralyzed  with  consternation,  probably  both  at 
our  appearance  and  the  previous  disappearance  of  most  of  their 
comrades  into  our  protection.  Gen.  Edward  Johnson’s  division 
was  extinguished ; about  5,000  men  of  it  captured  and  he  him- 
self and  his  subordinate,  General  Steuart,  prisoners  of  war  in 
our  hands.  General  Johnson  was  taken  by  Sergeant  S.  Frank 
Haskell  and  Private  J.  F.  Totman  of  the  Seventeenth  Maine, 
and  escorted  by  them  to  General  Hancock.  The  six  batteries 
and  horses  fell  into  our  hands.  Without  stopping  to  re-form 
we  pushed  forward  for  an  inner  line  of  works,  but  were  met 
by  a wide-awake  enemy  defending  it,  and  by  the  advance  of 
converging  formations.  We  retired,  fighting,  back  to  the  cap- 
tured works,  and  from  the  outside  used  them  as  a breastwork. 
One  of  the  bloodiest  encounters  of  the  war,  in  a hand-to-hand 
struggle,  ensued  across  the  works,  continuing  all  day  and  until 
nearly  midnight,  when  the  determined  foe  gave  it  up,  leaving 
eighteen  cannon  and  the  whole  Salient  in  our  possession. 

A part  of  the  Sixth  corps  at  the  proper  moment  came  in  on 
our  right  at  the  west  angle  of  the  Salient,  and  gallantly  took 
and  carried  on  the  fierce  battle.  To  these  heroic  veterans  an 
equal  share  of  glory  and  credit  is  due  for  holding  fast  the  cap- 
tured position  and  artillery. 

We  took  into  the  battle  225  muskets,  with  13  officers  and 
4 acting  officers.  Our  loss  : 12  men  killed  or  mortally  wounded  ; 
41  wounded,  of  whom  were  1st  Lieut.  John  N.  Morrill  and  2d 
Lieut.  Stephen  Graffam ; 5 taken  prisoners  ; 1 missing,  prob- 
ably killed  ; Captain  Houghton,  detailed  on  First  brigade  staff, 
also  wounded.  Sergt.  Edward  G.  Parker,  carrying  our  national 
color,  was  killed,  and  Sergt.  Edwin  Emery,  bearing  the  state 
color,  was  badly  disabled  by  two  wounds,  the  Color-guard  nearly 
annihilated.  Acting  Sergt. -Major  G.  A.  Parker  was  wounded. 

Maine  was  well  represented  here : the  Third,  Seventeenth, 
Fifth,  Sixth  and  Seventh  regiments  all  fought  at  the  Salient. 
The  Sixteenth,  Nineteenth,  Thirty-first  and  Thirty-second  also 
co-operated  by  assaults  upon  the  works  near  by. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


237 


From  the  13th  to  19th  not  engaged,  except  on  picket.  On 
the  16th  Lieut. -Colonel  Merrill  returned  to  duty,  taking  com- 
mand. Capt.  Edward  Moore  also  returned  from  a leave  of 
absence. 

Fredericksburg  Road.  — On  the  19th,  at  2 a.  m.  , the  divis- 
ion marched  about  live  miles  to  the  Anderson  House,  on  the 
Fredericksburg  road.  The  army  supplies  came  this  way. 
Ewell  circled  our  right  to  strike  this  road  in  our  rear.  Near 
the  trains  he  ran  against  the  First  Maine  heavy  artillery  regi- 
ment, used  as  infantry,  and  another  of  same  kind,  who  fought 
with  steadiness,  holding  the  enemy.  Our  division  went  at 
double-quick  to  the  rescue,  supporting  the  line  and  advancing 
the  battle.  The  Seventeenth  relieved  the  First  Maine,  that  had 
lost  heavily,  and  advanced  upon  the  enemy,  who  fell  back. 
Next  morning  advanced  again,  and  the  enemy  fled.  The  regi- 
ment secured  47  prisoners  (the  division  500),  with  a loss  of 
only  one  wounded  and  one  missing. 

North  Anna. — May  21st,  at  1 a.  m.,  with  184  muskets, 
we  took  the  Gruiney  Station  road,  passed  through  Bowling 
Green,  crossed  the  Mattapony,  beyond  which  we  bivouacked, 
— a twenty  miles  march;  22d  built  breastworks  ; 23d  marched 
at  5 a.  m.  southward,  approaching  the  North  Anna.  The  enemy 
held  a redoubt  near  the  bridge  on  the  north  side,  with  flanking 
lines  to  the  river.  Our  division  charged  in  line  of  battle  ; our 
brigade,  under  Col.  B.  R.  Pierce,  advancing,  met  a fusilade,  and 
was  raked  by  artillery  from  across  the  river,  but  carried  every- 
thing handsomely  to  the  river.  Next  day  intrenched  under  fire 
on  the  south  side.  Remained  here  until  the  27th.  Loss  : killed 
and  mortally  wounded,  four  (of  whom  were  1st  Lieut.  James 
S.  Roberts  and  2d  Lieut.  Walter  F.  Noyes),  and  seventeen 
wounded. 

Totopotomt. — At  midnight,  May  26th,  recrossed  river 
and  marched  to  the  Pamunkey,  crossing  it  on  the  28th,  near 
Newcastle.  Several  positions  and  advances  were  made  in  the 
ensuing  four  days.  On  June  1st  the  enemy’s  line  at  the  Toto- 
potomy  Creek,  which  flows  into  the  river,  was  assailed  with  suc- 
cess by  our  division,  the  First  brigade  leading,  supported  by 
ours  — our  regimental  loss  being  slight.  The  Seventeenth  was 


238 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


this  day  transferred  to  the  First  brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Egan,  and  served  with  it  until  March  15,  1865.  The  Third 
Maine  belonged  to  this  brigade.  Marched  at  midnight  with- 
out halting,  passing  Salem  church  and  around  our  army  towards 
the  left  until,  at  6 a.  m.,  we  halted  for  breakfast,  after  which, 
to  the  left  until  we  joined  Barlow’s  (First)  division  at  the  front. 

Cold  FIarbor.  — June  3d  a general  assault  was  made  upon 
the  enemy’s  strong  works,  ending  in  failure  and  a fearful  loss ; 
we  were  held  as  a support  to  the  First  division  and  suffered 
slightly.  Remained  in  this  vicinity  until  June  12th.  On  June 
4th  the  re-enlisted  men  and  recruits  of  the  Third  Maine  were 
transferred  to  the  Seventeenth.  Many  names  were  on  the  trans- 
fer rolls,  but  we  received  only  129  men  carrying  muskets  ; these 
were  sterling  men,  many  of  them  being  non-commissioned 
officers,  for  whom  we  found  places. 

The  vigor  of  our  men,  which  had  kept  up  remarkably  until 
this  time,  suddenly  collapsed.  We  had  nearly  fifty  prostrated 
in  one  day.  A portion  of  them  recovered  before  the  12th. 
Losses  since  May  24th  : one  killed,  four  wounded,  five  captured. 
The  sergeants  remaining  to  us,  who  had  served  as  officers  since 
the  campaign  opened,  were  here  mustered  according  to  their 
commissions. 

June  12th  left  the  works  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  on  the  13th 
marched  to  the  James  river,  crossing  next  day  at  Windmill 
Point,  and  remained  on  the  south  side  waiting  for  rations  that 
day  and  night.  June  15th  marched  to  the  line  in  front  of 
Petersburg  and  bivouacked  behind  captured  earthworks.  Our 
strength  was  16  officers  and  224  enlisted  men. 

Petersburg  Assaults.  — June  16th,  while  the  roll  was 
being  called,  a well-aimed  shell  burst  in  our  ranks,  injuring 
several,  among  them  Capt.  John  C.  Perry,  commanding  the 
regiment,  — Lieut. -Col.  Merrill  being  off  duty,  — and  the  com- 
mand devolved  upon  Capt.  Benj.  C.  Pennell.  Soon  the  Seven- 
teenth Maine  and  20th  Ind.  were  moved  out  and  formed  in  line 
of  battle  without  supports  ; the  orders  were  to  advance  and  take 
the  enemy’s  intrenchments  and  battery  about  fifty  rods  distant. 
We  moved  forward  in  line  of  battle,  over  stubby  but  level 
ground,  under  a storm  of  bullets,  shell  and  solid  shot,  poured 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


239 


into  us  as  we  advanced,  coming  from  the  veterans  of  Lee’s 
army.  Our  line  shriveled  and  the  alignment  was  broken. 
We  failed  to  reach  the  main  line,  but  took  and  held  an  out- 
work about  midway  the  lines.  A short  time  elapsed  when  we 
re-formed  the  two  regiments  at  this  point,  expecting  to  have  a 
support,  but  none  came,  and  we  moved  forward  a second  time, 
gaining  some  ground,  but  with  no  better  success  ; holding  the 
advanced  position,  however,  under  a murderous  fire  until  we 
were  withdrawn  towards  night.  Colonel  Eo-an  was  wounded. 
The  whole  First  division  charged  at  sunset  upon  the  same  line, 
and  were  likewise  repulsed.  Our  loss  was  : killed  and  mortally 
wounded,  16  (amongst  them  one  of  the  color-bearers,  Corporal 
Leonard  Pride)  ; wounded,  2 officers,  Capt.  John  C.  Perry  and 
2d  Lieut.  Jordan  M.  Hall,  and  37  enlisted  men.  Next  day  the 
Seventeenth  occupied  a portion  of  the  advanced  line  used  for 
skirmishing,  keeping  up  a galling  lire  which  drove  the  opposing 
skirmishers  from  their  pits.  Captain  Pennell  was  instantly 
killed  while  attempting  to  bring  down  with  a Sharp’s  rifle  the 
"stars  and  bars ’’planted  on  their  works  opposite  our  colors. 
The  command  of  the  regiment  then  devolved  upon  Capt.  Edward 
Moore,  who  was  succeeded  the  same  evening  by  Major  Gil- 
braith,  of  the  20th  Ind.,  detailed  temporarily  by  General  Birney 
to  this  special  duty  with  our  regiment,  which  he  well  performed 
until  July  10th,  when  relieved  by  return  of  Lieut. -Colonel 
Merrill  to  duty. 

June  18th  a general  assault  on  the  enemy’s  works  was 
made,  with  very  small  success  but  with  frightful  casualties. 
We  charged  at  the  Hare  House  along  a ridge  (overlooking  the 
plain  where  the  First  Maine  Heavy  charged) . The  small  ad- 
vancement of  our  lines  was  secured  by  earthworks  thrown  up  in 
the  night  in  close  contact  with  the  enemy.  Here  we  remained 
in  the  works  until  relieved  on  the  20th  by  the  Ninth  corps. 

Loss  since  June  16th,  killed  and  mortally  wounded,  one 
officer  and  13  enlisted  men ; wounded,  18  enlisted  men. 

Jerusalem  Road.  — June  21st  the  Second  corps  extended 
the  lines  to  the  left  beyond  Jerusalem  Road.  Next  day  a por- 
tion of  our  division  in  this  movement  was  outflanked  and  cap- 
tured in  the  new  breastworks.  Our  brigade  was  ordered  to 


240 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


charge  and  retake  these  works  at  daybreak  of  the  22d.  As  we 
were  drawn  np  in  an  open  held  to  undertake  this  task  each  man 
nerved  himself  and  prepared  for  the  worst,  in  many  instances 
leaving  valuables  and  messages  with  the  surgeon.  The  word 
was  given  ; the  line  moved  forward  in  splendid  style.  Before 
half  the  distance  was  gained  the  enemy  gave  a feeble  volley 
and  left  the  work,  which  we  occupied  without  trouble,  with 
loss  of  one  killed,  two  wounded  and  three  missing.  The 
regiment  lay  behind  works  after  this,  not  engaged  although  at 
the  front. 

July  12th  the  corps  moved  from  the  front  and  encamped, 
doing  daily  fatigue  duty,  levelling  old  works,  etc.  An  official 
nominal  list  of  our  casualties  for  May  and  June  was  compiled, 
showing  the  number  to  have  been  376,  of  whom  only  32  were 
missing,  which  included  those  taken  prisoners.  Five  officers 
were  killed  and  fifteen  wounded,  being  a much  higher  percent- 
age than  that  of  the  enlisted  men. 

July  26th  marched  to  the  James,  crossing  at  Jones’  Point. 

First  Deep.  Bottom.  — Moved  forward  about  two  miles 
and  performed  picket  duty  until  relieved  on  28th,  when  at  dusk 
we  recrossed  the  river  and  marched  in  rear  of  the  investing 
lines  until  morning ; next  evening  after  dark  we  marched  to 
the  Hare  House  and  quietly  relieved  Hicks’  troops  of  the  Ninth 
corps  in  the  intrenchments.  This  was  in  preparation  for  the 
famous  Mine  Explosion  which  occurred  next  morning,  July 
30th,  near  by  us.  Returned  at  nightfall  to  our  camp  in 
reserve,  where  we  stayed  until  August  12th. 

Second  Deep  Bottom. — August  12th  marched  to  City 
Point  and  embarked  on  steamers.  At  10  p.  m.  steamed  up  the 
James  to  Deep  Bottom,  where  we  landed  in  the  morning. 

Advancing  on  the  14th,  the  enemy  fell  back  into  his  strong 
works.  We  were  established  on  the  picket  line  at  a large  corn- 
field, doing  that  duty  until  the  19th.  The  main  attack  was 
made  on  the  right,  by  the  Tenth  corps  and  a portion  of  the 
Second  corps,  all  under  General  Birney.  Failure  followed 
temporary  success.  Skirmishing  was  continuous  on  the  picket 
line,  punctuated  with  artillery  fire.  Colonel  Chaplin  of  the 
First  Maine  H.  A.,  in  command  of  the  picket,  was  killed  quite 
near  the  Seventeenth.  Our  loss  was  only  four,  wounded. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


241 


Returning  to  the  Petersburg  lines  we  were  put  into  the 
trenches,  relieving  the  Thirty-second  Maine  and  another  regi- 
ment. The  opposing  works  were  about  500  yards  away ; with 
us  was  Ames’  N.  Y.  battery,  relieved  by  White’s  Fourth  Maine 
battery.  One-third  of  our  men  were  held  constantly  under 
arms  in  the  works,  with  pickets  in  front.  This  was  north  of 
Fort  " Hell  ” in  an  ordinarily  healthy  location  ; many  deserters 
came  in.  The  opposing  pickets  were  at  first  peaceable,  with 
commercial  dealings ; September  10th  our  picket  line  was 
advanced,  which  brought  on  a scrimmage.  The  brigade  Officer 
of  the  Day  was  Capt.  Edward  Moore,  whose  duties  brought 
him  into  this  affair.  We  had  a few  wounded,  amongst  them 
Lieut.  Joseph  S.  Hobbs  at  the  main  works.  Then  there  began 
constant  picket  firing,  day  and  night,  except  for  a half  hour  at 
sunset,  each  day,  by  consent,  when  pickets  were  changed  on 
both  sides.  We  suffered  a useless  loss  from  this  picket  firing. 

Peebles’  Farm  and  Fort  Hell.  — October  1st  moved  from 
the  trenches,  making  a movement  "to  the  left,”  to  extend  our 
lines  and  establish  them  with  earthworks,  which  being  accom- 
plished we  returned  on  the  5th  and  were  placed  in  Fort  Sedg- 
wick (known  as  Fort  " Hell  ”) . Mortar  shelling  was  frequent, 
and  on  the  evening  of  the  11th  a concentrated  fire  from  many 
came  into  our  fort,  descending  all  around  and  causing  some  loss. 
October  15th  were  withdrawn  and  encamped  back  from  the 
works.  Colonel  West,  who  had  been  absent,  wounded,  since 
May  6th,  returned  to  duty.  Lieut. -Colonel  Merrill  resigned, 
and  took  his  leave  of  us.  The  regiment  furnished  picket  details 
for  the  front.  October  24th  Lieut.  Wellington  Hobbs  was 
killed  and  Lieut.  George  A.  Whidden  permanently  disabled  by 
the  same  bullet ; Lieut.  George  B.  Dunn  also  slightly  wounded, 
same  night. 

Boydton  Road.  — October  26th  the  Second  and  Third  divis- 
ions, under  Hancock,  marched  to  the  left,  crossing  Hatcher’s 
Run  on  the  27th,  and  pushed  to  the  Boydton  Road.  The  enemy 
nearly  surrounded  us.  The  Seventeenth  was  finally  posted  to 
guard  our  line  of  retreat,  and  constructed  a barricade  which 
General  Hancock  commended,  adding,"  fix  them  so  that  you  can 
fight  on  either  side.”  The  regiment  was  selected  to  escort  the 


242 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ambulances,  filled  with  wounded,  back  to  the  works,  in  advance 
of  the  troops,  after  nightfall.  An  all-night  march.  October 
30th  we  were  placed  in  Fort  Rice,  remaining  until  November 
29th,  when  we  moved  again  to  the  left  near  the  Peebles’  House, 
at  the  southerly  turn  of  our  lines.  December  7th  the  Fifth 
corps  and  our  division,  with  some  cavalry,  all  under  General 
Warren,  made  an  infantry  raid,  marching  beyond  the  Nottaway 
River  to  Jarrett’s  Station  on  the  Weldon  railroad,  and  then 
destroying  the  railroad  in  a most  thorough  manner.  Twenty 
miles  of  it  was  put  " hors  de  combat,'”  from  the  Nottaway  to 
Belfield.  Our  troops  burned  many  buildings  on  the  return, 
as  revenge  upon  inhabitants  who  had  murdered  men  that  fell 
out.  No  encounter  with  the  enemy.  After  this  we  encamped, 
out  of  the  works,  near  Fort  Dushane,  as  in  winter  quarters. 

1865. 

Colonel  West,  who  had  been  appointed  to  Brevet  Brigadier- 
General  for  his  conduct  at  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  arrived  at 
the  front  January  8th  and  was  placed  temporarily  in  command 
of  the  brigade,  General  de  Trobriand  being  absent,  and  later 
was  assigned  to  command  another  brigade.  He  did  not  return 
to  duty  with  the  regiment.  Captain  William  Hobson,  in 
command  by  seniority,  was  promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
of  the  regiment  January  18th. 

Hatcher’s  Run. — February  5th  our  division,  under  Gen- 
eral Mott,  followed  by  the  Second  division,  marched  to  Hatch- 
er’s Run,  and  our  brigade  forced  the  passage  of  the  stream 
under  fire.  The  crossing  was  secured  by  forming  the  brigade 
in  a crescent,  one  flank  resting  upon  the  south  bank.  The 
object  being  an  extension  of  our  works  to  the'left,  the  line  was 
established  and  intrenchments  built,  when  we  encamped  near 
the  Smith  house,  resuming  camp  duties,  picketing,  etc.,  and 
the  usual  routine.  February  22d  the  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters 
was  disbanded  and  its  company  D was  transferred  to  the  Sev- 
enteenth ; by  this  we  gained  about  a dozen  fine  soldiers.  March 
15th  the  regiment  was  re-transferred  to  the  Second  brigade, 
now  commanded  by  Brig. -Gen.  Byron  R.  Pierce,  formerly 
Colonel  of  the  3d  Mich,  regiment,  an  ideal  leader. 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


243 


' March  25th  a demonstration  was  made  against  the  enemy’s 
picket  lines  in  our  corps  front,  as  a diversion  to  aid  in  the 
recovery  of  Fort  Steadman,  which  the  enemy  had  captured 
from  the  Ninth  corps.  Our  move  was  successful,  provoking 
an  attack  upon  our  corps  that  we  repulsed,  and  captured  pris- 
oners. The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  small. 

Counting  up  the  regimental  casualties  from  August  19, 
1864,  to  March  26,  1865,  we  found  them  to  be  one  officer  and 
eleven  enlisted  men  killed  and  mortally  wounded,  and  three 
officers  and  twenty-five  enlisted  men  wounded. 

March  29th  broke  camp  at  6 a.  m.,  marched  on  the  Vaughan 
road,  crossed  Hatcher’s  Run  and  advancing  towards  Boyd- 
ton  Road,  made  connection  on  our  left  with  the  Fifth  corps. 
Next  morning  advanced  in  line  about  a mile  and  found  the 
enemy’s  skirmishers,  in  view  of  his  main  line  of  works,  from 
which  his  artillery  opened.  Our  lines  were  strengthened  with 
breastworks. 

At  this  time  the  strength  of  the  regiment  was  about  300, 
rank  and  file.  The  following  officers  were  on  duty  with  the 
regiment : Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Hobson,  commanding  ; 
Major,  Charles  P.  Mattocks  (rejoined  for  duty  March  31st 
from  prisoner  of  war  since  May  5,  1864)  ; Adjutant,  George 
A.  Parker;  Captains,  William  H.  Green,  Isaac  S.  Faunce, 
Gustavus  C.  Pratt,  Charles  C.  Cole,  George  B.  Dunn  ; First 
Lieutenants,  Robert  H.  Mathes,  William  H.  Sturgis  command- 
ing company  B,  Parlin  Crawford  commanding  company  F, 
Joseph  S.  Hobbs  commanding  company  H,  James  M.  Webb 
commanding  company  C,  Schollay  G.  Usher,  Dexter  W.  How- 
ard commanding  company  E,  William  H.  Copp ; Second 
Lieutenants,  Fayette  M.  Paine,  Albert  L.  Bradbury,  Edwin 
A.  Duncan,  Asa  G.  Charles,  Charles  H.  Parcher,  Sumner  W. 
Burnham,  Edwin  W.  Sanborn,  Thomas  Snowman.  Other  line 
officers,  on  detailed  duty  in  the  field,  were  Capt.  Joseph 
A.  Perry,  at  division  hospital ; Capt.  George  W.  Verrill, 
A.  A.  D.  C.  on  staff  of  General  Pierce ; 1st  Lieut.  Edward 
H.  Crie,  acting  regimental  quartermaster ; 2d  Lieut.  Edwin 
Emery,  brigade  ambulance  officer  ; quartermaster  Josiah  Remick, 
as  1st  brigade  quartermaster. 


244 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Fall  of  Petersburg.  — The  general  assault  upon  the  defen- 
sive works  was  ordered  for  4.30  a.  m.  April  2d,  to  commence 
on  right  of  our  army,  after  a night  of  cannonading.  Early  in 
the  morning  General  Pierce  sent  two  regiments,  with  an  aide,  to 
"feel”  the  works  in  front,  which  we  found  nearly  evacuated, 
and  they  were  secured  by  these,  being  the  first  from  the  divis- 
ion ; the  remainder  of  the  brigade  then  advanced  to  the  works. 
Without  delay  the  brigade  marched  towards  Petersburg  upon 
the  Boydton  Plank  Road,  sending  in  advance  an  aide  and  orderly 
to  scout  the  way  ; the  enemy  had  fallen  back  to  the  outskirts  of 
Petersburg,  where  Lee  had  stretched  a breastwork  across  to  the 
Appomattox.  Approaching  this  line  we  found  resistance,  also 
an  artillery  fire  from  across  the  river.  The  Ninth  and  Sixth 
corps  had  carried  their  front,  except  a couple  of  forts.  We 
formed,  connecting  with  the  troops  of  the  latter  on  our  right. 
It  is  related  that  while  the  Seventeenth  was  throwing  up  a 
breastwork  here,  about  twilight,  two  strangers  came  along  and 
stopped  on  the  line  of  work,  conversing  together,  peering  and 
pointing  in  a peculiar  manner.  Colonel  Hobson  ordered  them 
to  "get  out  of  the  way,”  which  they  did  without  any  "back 
talk.”  The  strangers  were  afterwards  discovered  to  be  Lieut.  - 
General  Grant  and  Maj. -General  Wright. 

Lee  evacuated  that  night.  In  the  morning  the  pursuit 
began,  and  we  marched  twenty  miles.  Stragglers  from  Lee 
were  plenty.  The  pursuit  continued  energetically,  and  on  the 
5th  we  came  up  with  his  rear  guard. 

Deatonsville  and  Sailor  Creek. — April  6th  the  First 
brigade  had  the  lead.  Lee  had  changed  his  course.  About  2 
p.  M.,  when  the  enemy  made  a stand,  the  Seventeenth,  with  an- 
other of  our  regiments,  was  lent  to  the  First  brigade,  to  prolong 
its  line,  which  at  once  formed  and  impetuously  charged  under 
a hot  musket  and  artillery  fire.  The  Seventeenth,  after  break- 
ing their  line,  wheeled  to  the  left  and  charged  upon  those  Con- 
federates who  still  held  to  their  works,  capturing  about  seventy- 
five  prisoners,  including  several  officers,  and  the  battle-flag  of 
the  21st.  N.  C.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hobson  was  wounded 
in  the  first  advance.  The  command  of  the  regiment  then 
devolved  upon  Major  Mattocks,  who  detailed  Captain  Green  to 


SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


245 


act  as  a field  officer.  The  division  then,  in  line  of  battle, 
advanced  about  two  miles,  where  the  enemy  was  again  found. 
Then  the  Seventeenth  was  returned  to  its  own  brigade,  which 
in  turn  took  the  advance  to  charge.  Moving  forward  under 
musketry  and  artillery  fire,  we  crossed  a small  stream,  where 
we  routed  a skirmish  line,  and  kept  on  up  a ridge ; the  rest  of 
the  brigade  separated  and  moved  to  the  left,  while  the  Seven- 
teenth alone  made  connection  with  the  First  division  on  our 
right,  as  planned.  General  Humphreys,  the  corps  commander, 
was  present,  who  at  once  ordered  another  charge,  when  we 
pressed  on,  completely  routing  the  enemy,  who  had  made  a 
stand  at  some  buildings,  and  driving  him  across  and  beyond 
Sailor  Creek.  His  wagon  train  fell  into  our  hands  with  a large 
batch  of  prisoners.  It  was  a headquarters  train,  and  proved 
rich  plunder.  Six  barrels  of  whiskey  was  the  load  of  one  wagon, 
which  was  wisely  poured  into  the  brook.  The  loss  was  : killed 
and  mortally  wounded,  seven,  including  1st  Lieut.  Schollay  G. 
Usher ; wounded,  twenty-seven,  including  Lieut-Colonel  Hob- 
son, Captain  Dunn,  1st  Lieut.  Webb,  2d  Lieut.  Duncan;  1st 
Lieut.  Hobbs  was  slightly  wounded,  but  not  disabled  from  duty. 

The  pursuit  continued  next  day,  the  Second  division  in  the 
lead ; crossed  the  Appomattox  at  High  Bridge,  then  on  fire, 
where  the  enemy  made  some  resistance,  but  gave  way,  leaving 
eighteen  guns  behind.  In  the  afternoon  came  up  with  him, 
strongly  intrenched,  in  a strong  position  at  Farmville.  Skir- 
mishing followed,  and  feints  of  attack,  the  object  being  to 
detain  them.  In  the  night  our  foe  decamped,  and  on  the  8th 
the  hunt  began  again,  passing  through  New  Store.  Late  at 
night,  or  rather  at  daylight  of  the  9th,  got  within  striking  dis- 
tance. Sunday,  April  9th,  we  continued  the  march  until  about 
noon  and  halted,  about  two  miles  from  Appomattox  C.  H. 

The  Surrender. — About  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon 
General  Meade,  coming  from  the  front,  announced  the  surren- 
der of  General  Lee  and  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  at 
Appomattox  Court  House. 

April  11th  marched  for  Burkesville  Junction,  remaining 
there  until  May  2d,  when  the  long  march  began  for  Wash- 
ington ; on  the  way  passing  through  Richmond,  Fredericksburg, 


246 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  other  places  memorable  in  the  long  strife ; linally  reaching 
Bailey’s  Cross  Roads,  near  Washington,  where  we  encamped 
and  remained  until  mustered  out  of  service,  June  4,  1865. 

The  regiment,  under  Colonel  Mattocks,  took  part  in  the 
Grand  Review  in  Washington  on  May  23d. 

The  men  whose  terms  of  service  held  beyond  September 
30,  1865,  were  transferred  to  the  First  Maine  Heavy  Artillery 
regiment ; this  transfer  also  included  three  officers.  About  300 
enlisted  men  and  thirty  officers  were  present  June  4,  1865, 
to  be  mustered  out,  and  these  came  back  to  Maine  with  the 
organization.  A large  number  of  our  comrades  were  absent, 
wounded  and  sick  in  hospital,  who  were  thus  deprived  of  the 
great  joy  of  returning  home  under  the  colors. 

The  Seventeenth,  returning  to  Maine,  arrived  in  Portland 
June  8th,  where  it,  and  the  Twentieth  regiment,  were  received 
with  enthusiasm  and  were  highly  honored  by  a public  recep- 
tion. June  10,  1865,  the  organization  was  disbanded. 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Sev- 
enteenth Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army 
Register  (part  1),  1865,  and  other  reliable  sources. 

Officers  at  Muster-out,  June  4,  1865. 

Colonel:  Charles  P.  Mattocks,  May  15,  1865, — brevet  Colonel  from 
Major,  April  9,  1865;  brevet  Brigadier-General  from  Colonel,  May  13,  1865. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  William  Hobson,  Jan.  18,  1865,  mustered  out 
June  6,  1865, — brevet  Brigadier-General,  April  6,  1865. 

Adjutant:  1st  Lieut.  George  A.  Parker,  Jan.  18,  1865. 

Quartermaster:  1st  Lieut.  Josiah  Remick,  Nov.  8,  1862. 

Captains:  Joseph  A.  Perry,  Nov.  1,  1863;  Edward  Moore,  Nov.  16, 
1863, — brevet  Lieut. -Col.,  March  13,  1865;  Edwin  B.  Houghton,  Nov.  16,  1863, 
mustered  out  June  n,  1865, — commissioned  Major,  not  mustered;  William 
H.  Green,  Dec.  22,  1863, — brevet  Major,  April  9,  1865;  George  W.  Verrill, 
March  14,  1864,— after  Feb.  3,  1865,  detached,  on  brigade  staff,  acting  as  Asst. 
Adjt.-Gen.,  Asst.  Insp.  Gen.,  and  Aide-de-Camp,  also  served  on  Military 
Commission  to  examine  officers;  Grenville  F.  Sparrow,  July  4,  1864;  Gus- 
tavus  C.  Pratt,  Jan.  18,  1865;  Charles  C.  Cole,  Jan.  31,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  Edward  H.  Crie,  June  5,  1864, — commissioned 
Captain,  not  mustered;  Robert  H.  Mathes,  July  4,  1864, — brevet  Captain, 
April  9,  1865;  William  H.  Sturgis,  July  4,  1864,— brevet  Captain  April  9,  1865; 


ROSTER  OF  THE  SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT. 


247 


Parlin  Crawford,  Nov.  4,  1864, — formerly  of  Third  Maine;  Lloyd  W.  Lamos, 
Nov.  5,  1S64;  Joseph  S.  Hobbs,  Nov.  17,  1864;  James  M.  Webb,  Jan.  18, 
1865;  William  H.  Copp,  Feb.  12,  1865,  formerly  of  Third  Maine. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Albert  L.  Bradbury,  Jan.  16,  1865;  Asa  G. 
Charles,  Jan.  18,  1865;  Edwin  A.  Duncan,  Jan.  18,  1865, — brevet  1st  Lieut., 
April  9,  1S65,  commiss’d  1st  Lieut.,  not  mustered;  Charles  H.  Parcher,  Jan. 
18,  1865;  Edwin  Emery,  Jan.  20,  1865;  Sumner  W.  Burnham,  Jan  26,  1865; 
Thomas  Snowman,  Jan.  31,  1865;  Horace  B.  Cummings,  Feb.  12,  1865; 
Charles  G.  Holyoke,  Sergeant-Major, — commiss’d  2d  Lieut.,  not  mustered. 

Surgeon:  Nahum  A.  Hersom,  April  11,  1863.  Assistant  Surgeons: 
Nathaniel  B.  Coleman,  Nov.  21,  1863;  James  G.  Sturgis,  Nov.  3,  1864. 

Chaplain:  Joseph  F.  Lovering,  Dec.  7,  1863. 

( Dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission,  those  given  hereafter 
refer  to  date  of  the  event. ) 

Died. 

Captains:  Almon  L.  Fogg,  July  4,  1863,  of  wounds  at  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg; Milton  M.  Young,  Aug.  13,  1863,  of  wounds  at  battle  of  Gettysburg; 
Ellis  M.  Sawyer,  Nov.  28,  1863,  of  wounds  at  battle  of  Locust  Grove, — com- 
missioned Major,  not  mustered;  Benjamin  C.  Pennell,  June  17,  1864,  killed 
in  battle  of  Petersburg. 

First  Lieutenants:  G.  W.  S.  Fiekett,  Sept.  24,  1862,  of  disease; 
Willard  M.  Jenkins,  Nov.  18,  1862,  of  disease;  Dudley  H.  Johnson,  May  3, 
1863,  killed  in  battle  of  Chancellorsville;  James  M.  Brown,  Nov.  27,  1863, 
killed  in  battle  of  Locust  Grove;  James  S.  Roberts,  May  23,  1864,  killed  in 
battle  of  North  Anna;  Wellington  Hobbs,  Oct.  24,  1864,  killed  in  action  at 
Petersburg, — commissioned  Captain,  not  mustered;  Schollay  G.  Usher,  April 
6,  1865,  killed  in  battle  of  Deatonsville  or  Sailor  Creek. 

Second  Lieutenants:  William  C.  Winter,  Jan.  25,  1863,  of  disease; 
Hiram  R.  Dyar,  July  2,  1863,  killed  in  battle  of  Gettysburg;  Benjamin  Doe, 
May  6,  1864,  killed  in  battle  of  Wilderness;  Walter  F.  Noyes,  May  24,  1864, 
killed  in  battle  of  North  Anna;  Newton  W.  Parker, — commis’d  2d  Lieut., 
not  mustered,  killed  in  battle  May  6,  1864;  Edward  G.  Parker, — commis’d 
2d  Lieut.,  not  mustered,  killed  in  battle  May  12,  1864. 

Quartermaster:  1st  Lieut.  Jacob  T.  Waterhouse,  Oct.  23,  1862,  of 
disease. 

Transferred  and  Promoted  out  of  Regiment. 

Captains:  Edward  I.  Merrill,  Dec.  11,  1863,  to  Inv.  corps  as  Captain, — 
brevet  Major,  March  13,  1865;  Isaac  S.  Faunce,  June  4,  1865,  to  First  Maine 
H.  A.  First  Lieutenants:  Newton  Whitten,  Dec.  28, 1863,  to  Inv.  corps; 
Dexter  W.  Howard,  May  6,  1865,  app’t’d  Captain  in  128th  U.  S.  Col.  Troops, 
— formerly  of  Third  Maine;  Fayette  M.  Paine,  June  4,  1865,  to  First  Maine 
H.  A.  Second  Lieutenants:  Edwin  W.  Sanborn,  May  6,  1865,  app’t’d 
1st  Lieut,  in  128th  U.  S.  Col.  Troops, — formerly  of  Third  Maine;  Daniel  J. 
Chandler,  June  4,  1865,  to  First  Maine  H.  A. 

Discharged  on  Account  of  Wounds. 

Colonel:  George  W.  West,  April  27,  1865, — brevet  Brigadier-General, 
Dec.  2,  1864. 

Adjutant:  1st  Lieut.  Charles  W.  Roberts,  Dec.  16,  1863. 


248 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Captains:  Augustus  Goldermann,  Aug.  19,  1863;  John  C.  Perry,  Sept. 
14,  1864;  Sumner  S.  Richards,  Oct.  1,  1864;  George  B.  Dunn,  June  3,  1865. 
First  Lieutenants:  Frederick  A.  Sawyer,  Sept.  24,  1864;  Henry  L.  Bar- 
tels, Oct.  3,  1864;  John  N.  Morrill,  Oct.  20,  1864;  George  A.  Whidden,  Feb. 
4,  1865, — commissioned  as  Captain,  not  mustered.  Second  Lieutenants: 
Thomas  W.  Lord,  Sept.  20,  1863, — afterwards  in  U.  S.  Army,  retired  as  Cap- 
tain; Franklin  C.  Adams,  Oct.  1,  1864, — promoted  to  1st  Lieut.,  not  mustered; 
Jordan  M.  Hall,  Oct.  3,  1864. 

Resigned  and  Discharged. 

Colonel:  Thomas  A.  Roberts,  June  2,  1863. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Charles  B.  Merrill,  Oct.  7,  1864. 

Adjutant:  1st  Lieut.  Putnam  S.  Boothby,  Oct.  31,  1864, — previously 
resigned  as  1st  Lieut.,  Dec.  2.  1862;  re-commissioned. 

Captains:  Andrew  J.  Stinson,  Oct.  5,  1862;  William  H.  Savage,  Dec. 
4,  1862;  Albion  Hersey,  Dec.  21,  1862;  Isaac  S.  Faunce,  Jan.  1,  1863,  re-com- 
missioned as  Captain,  Jan.  23,  1864;  Uriah  W.  Briggs,  March  21,  1863;  George 
W.  Martin,  March  26,  1863.  First  Lieutenants:  John  P.  Swasey,  Nov. 
19.  1862;  Benjamin  G.  Ames,  Nov.  20,  1862;  Otho  W.  Burnham,  Feb.  3,  1863; 
William  Roberts,  August  5,  1863;  Charles  E.  Hubbard,  August  28,  1863. 
Second  Lieutenants:  Madison  K.  Mabry,  Dec.  10,  1862;  Prescott  New- 
man, Dec.  29,  1862;  James  M.  Safford,  Dec.  31,  1862;  Danville  B.  Stevens, 
May  20,  1863;  Ralph  H.  Day,  May  21,  1863. 

Surgeon:  Henry  L.  K.  Wiggin,  Jan.  31,  1863.  Assistant  Surgeons: 
Paschal  P.  Ingalls,  March  2,  1863;  Louis  E.  Norris,  Oct.  1,  1863;  William 
Wescott,  Dec.  11,  1863. 

Chaplains:  Harvey  Hersey,  Oct.  27,  1862;  Jeremiah  Hayden,  Aug. 
29,  1863. 

Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

Capt.  James  O.  Thompson,  Feb.  23,  1864;  2d  Lieut.  Stephen  Graffam, 
Nov.  25,  1864. 


TWENTIETH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 


249 


MONUMENTS. 

The  positions  of  the  Twentieth  Maine  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg  on  the 
second  and  third  days  are  marked  by  two  monuments.  The  survivors  of 
the  regiment  placed,  in  1886,  on  the  spot  and  near  where  their  colors  were 
planted  on  the  afternoon  of  July  2d,  a simple  monument,  of  Hallowell  granite, 
four  feet  square  at  the  base  and  five  feet  four  inches  in  height,  bearing  upon 
one  side  of  the  shaft,  around  the  Maltese  Cross  of  the  Fifth  corps,  this  in- 
scription:— 


TWENTIETH  MAINE 


THIRD  BRIG. 


FIRST  DIV. 


FIFTH  CORPS. 


Upon  another  side  is  the  following  inscription: — 

Here  the  20th  Maine  Regiment, 

Col.  J.  L.  Chamberlain  commanding,  forming  the 

EXTREME  LEFT  OF  THE  NATIONAL  LINE  OF  BATTLE 
ON  THE  2ND  DAY  OF  JULY  1863  REPULSED  THE 
ATTACK  OF  THE  EXTREME  RIGHT  OF  LoNGSTREET’s 
CORPS  AND  CHARGED  IN  TURN  CAPTURING  302 
prisoners.  The  regiment  lost  38  killed  or 

MORTALLY  WOUNDED,  AND  92  WOUNDED,  OUT  OF 
358  ENGAGED. 

This  monument,  erected  by  survivors  of 

THE  REGIMENT  A.  D.  1886,  MARKS  VERY  NEARLY 
THE  SPOT  WHERE  THE  COLORS  STOOD. 

Upon  the  two  other  sides  is  the  roll  of  those  of  the  regiment  who  fell. 
The  stone-wall  thrown  up  hastily  along  the  brow  of  the  hill,  to  afford  some 
slight  shelter  under  the  murderous  fire,  remains  to  emphasize  the  record  of 
the  monument. 


250 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG . 


MONUMENT 

OF 

TWENTIETH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

Upon  Big  Round  Top  is  placed  the  monument  erected  by  the  state.  It 
is  of  Hallowell  granite.  The  base,  of  two  tiers,  shows  as  quarried,  with  cut 
angles;  a single  block  forms  the  plinth  which  has  chiseled  borders  and  top; 
on  this  rests  the  massive  die,  nearly  cubical  in  form,  with  a pointed  apex. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  four  stones,  five  feet  by  five  feet  by  two  feet; 
plinth,  four  feet  nine  inches  by  four  feet  nine  inches  by  one  foot  seven  inches; 
die,  three  feet  six  inches  by  three  feet  six  inches  by  four  feet  six  inches. 
Total  height,  eight  feet  one  inch. 

Upon  one  side  of  the  die  a panel  is  sunk,  from  a polished  surface,  leaving 
in  relief  the  following  legend: — 

The  20th  Maine  Reg’t, 

3d  Brig.  1st  Div.  5th  Corps, 

Colonel 

Joshua  L.  Chamberlain, 

CAPTURED  AND  HELD  THIS 
POSITION  ON  THE  EVENING 

of  July  2d  1863,  pursuing 

THE  ENEMY  FROM  ITS  FRONT 
ON  THE  LINE  MARKED  BY 
ITS  MONUMENT  BELOW. 

The  reg’t  lost  in  the  battle 
130  KILLED  AND  WOUNDED 
OUT  OF  358  ENGAGED. 

This  monument  marks  the 

EXTREME  LEFT  OF  THE  UNION 

LINE  DURING  THE  BATTLE  OF 
THE  3d  DAY. 

There  is  by  the  monument  here  a wall  of  stone  hastily  thrown  up  for 
defenses  by  the  regiment  on  the  night  of  July  ad. 


^ i_ 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  DIAGRAM 


251 


TWENTIETH  MAINE  EEGIMENT, 

THIRD  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION,  FIFTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


WHILE  the  conflict  was  raging  along  Birney’s  line  another 
was  in  progress  on  the  slopes  of  Little  Round  Top.  We 
have  already  seen  the  Alabama  and  Texas  regiments, 
under  Law,  rushing  up  across  the  valley  of  Devil’s  Den,  and 
passing  beyond  and  around  the  Fourth  Maine  and  the  other 
defenders  of  that  position.  By  this  movement  the  approaches 
of  Little  Round  Top  were  uncovered ; and  the  Confederates, 
passing  the  ravine,  began  to  swarm  up  the  sides  of  that  precip- 
itous height,  which  was  now  recognized  as  a most  important 
position  in  the  battle  of  this  day. 

In  the  defense  of  this  position  a Maine  regiment  was  to  play 
a gallant  part.  The  Twentieth  Maine  regiment,  with  the  16th 
Mich.,  44th  N.  Y.  and  83d  Penn,  formed  Vincent’s  brigade  of 
Barnes’  division.  It  was  the  only  Maine  regiment  now  in  the 
Fifth  corps,  the  remnants  of  the  Second  Maine  having  been 
consolidated  with  the  Twentieth.  On  the  morning  of  June  29th 
the  brigade  had  left  its  bivouac  at  Frederick  City,  Md.,  and  by 
hard  forced  marches,  on  the  last  day  of  which  this  regiment 
acted  as  the  advance  guard  for  the  Fifth  corps,  had  arrived  at 
Hanover,  Penn.,  at  about  4 p.  m.  July  1st.  While  preparing  for 
much  needed  rest,  the  plans  were  suddenly  changed  by  hurried 
messengers  bringing  word  that  our  First  and  Eleventh  corps  had 
struck  the  enemy  at  Gettysburg,  some  sixteen  miles  away,  and 
were  being:  driven  back.  This  was  the  signal  for  more  hard 
marching.  The  worn  and  wearied  men  were  enthusiastic  to 
rush  to  the  rescue  of  their  fellow  soldiers  and  the  imperilled 
flag.  They  pulled  out  at  6 p.  m.  for  a night’s  march  to  Gettys- 
burg. It  is  fifty-five  miles  from  Frederick  City  to  Gettysburg 
by  the  route  they  took.  The  short  time  in  which  this  distance 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


253 


was  accomplished  by  soldiers  weighed  down  with  all  the  burdens 
of  heavy  marching  order,  and  this  at  the  end  of  a long,  weari- 
some and  worrysome  march  from  the  Rappahannock,  under  the 
fiery  heats  of  a midsummer  sun,  will  suggest  the  physical  con- 
dition of  men  about  to  take  strenuous  part  in  a great  battle. 
The  cheers  of  welcome  and  blessing  that  met  them  on  that  Get- 
tysburg  night-march,  from  all  the  little  homes  along  the  road, 
struck  a deep  chord  in  every  soldier’s  heart.  Without  a halt 
they  arrived  within  striking  distance  of  the  anxious  lines  then 
holding  front  against  the  enemy,  and  were  bidden  to  take  a 
little  rest.  At  daylight  they  pushed  to  the  front,  and  were 
massed  in  rear  of  Cemetery  Hill,  under  preliminary  orders  to 
prepare  to  attack  the  enemy  on  the  right  of  our  position. 

Meantime  the  plans  of  the  opposing  commanders  were  taking 
shape.  Suddenly,  at  about  4 o’clock  p.  M.  July  2d,  an  artillery 
fire  opened  on  our  extreme  left,  where  our  Third  corps  had 
taken  position ; and  the  head  of  the  Fifth  corps,  instead  of 
'attacking  on  the  right,  was  hurried  to  the  support  of. the  Third 
corps  on  the  extreme  left.  How  our  Twentieth  regiment  at 
the  head  of  the  brigade  went  in  at  first  to  Sickles’  line  of  battle 
then  under  tremendous  fire  ; how  the  gallant  General  Warren, 
seeing,  with  military  eye,  the  importance  of  the  Round  Top 
heights,  begged  General  Sykes  to  send  Vincent’s  brigade  to  gain 
this  position  in  advance  of  Longstreet’s  troops,  then  rushing 
for  the  same  commanding  heights  ; how  Hazlett,  aided  by  the 
infantry,  lifted  his  guns  by  hand  and  handspike  up  the  craggy 
sides  ; how  Vincent  fought  and  fell ; how  the  Twentieth,  at  the 
critical  moment,  with  a bayonet  charge  turned  the  confident 
Confederate  onslaught  into  rout,  on  the  left  of  our  army, — all 
this  makes  one  of  the  most  famous  passages  of  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg. 

The  brigade,  moving  instantly  and  at  the  double-quick, 
crossed  Plum  Run,  and  scaled  the  northern  crest  of  Little 
Round  Top,  under  the  storm  of  shells  from  Longstreet’s  bat- 
teries across  the  valley,  crashing  among  the  rocks  and  trees 
along  the  path  of  the  column  toiling  up  the  mountain  side  (a) . 

(a)  Official  Report  of  Colonel  Chamberlain,  July  6,  1863.  Rebellion  Records,  Vol 
27,  part  1,  page  622. 


254 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Passing  to  the  southern  slope  of  Little  Round  Top,  making  the 
extreme  left  of  the  Union  line,  where  Vincent,  entrusting  the 
left  of  the  line  to  the  discretion  and  keeping  of  the  Colonel 
of  this  regiment,  .saying  to  him,  "You  understand!  hold  this 
ground  at  all  costs  ! ” rested  his  defense.  The  Twentieth,  in 
order  to  meet  the  fire  then  enveloping  our  left,  was  formed  " on 
the  right  into  line,”  the  successive  companies  keeping  somewhat 
under  shelter  until  they  reached  their  place  in  the  line  (a).  On 
their  right  came  up  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  the  83d 
Penn.,  the  44th  N.  Y.  and  the  16th  Mich.,  making  a somewhat 
convex  line  to  cover  the  flank  of  our  troops  and  artillery,  then 
following,  and  in  position  to  resist  the  formidable  attack  of  the 
right  of  Hood’s  division,  now  intending  to  carry  this  southern 
crest  and  so  command  the  whole  Union  left. 

The  Twentieth  Maine,  as  it  formed  that  rugged  line  of  battle 
among  the  erases  and  bowlders  of  that  crest  now  charged  with 
a nation’s  defense,  numbered  twenty-eight  officers  and  three 
hundred  and  fifty-eight  men  present  for  duty  equipped  (b)  / 
Although  less  than  a year  in  the  army  the  regiment  had  seen 
arduous  service,  entitling  it  to  the  name  of  veteran.  Col. 
Joshua  L.  Chamberlain  was  its  commander. 

Such  advantage  as  was  possible  was  taken  of  the  rough, 
rocky  and  wooded  ground.  Facing  it  on  the  south  was  Big 
Round  Top,  a commanding  summit  among  the  clustered  hills, 
but  impracticable  for  battle  ground,  which  was  separated  from 
Little  Round  Top  by  a smooth,  thinly  wooded  valley.  In 
establishing  his  defense  Colonel  Chamberlain,  regardful  of  his 
exposed  left  flank,  sent  out  company  B,  under  Captain  Morrill, 
to  operate  as  he  found  necessary  on  that  flank.  Moving  to  the 
left,  this  company  deployed  as  a skirmish  line  to  check  a 
demonstration  on  the  left  of  the  regiment ; but  afterwards,  in 
the  crisis  of  the  fight,  it  got  in  its  volley  on  the  enemy’s  right, 
which  demoralized  them. 

(a)  The  order  of  companies  from  right  to  left  was  E,  I,  K,  D,  F,  A,  H,  C,  G, 
company  B being  detached  as  skirmishers. 

(b)  According  to  the  official  reports ; but  Colonel  Chamberlain  has  since  said 
that  when  the  fight  began  some  of  those  reported  as  absent  sick  came  up  and  took 
their  places,  and  that  he  also  dismissed  the  “ pioneers  ” and  the  “ provost  guard,”  as 
well  as  the  prisoners  under  arrest  in  their  charge,  and  all  of  these  went  into  the  fight 
and  did  gallant  service. 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


255 


These  dispositions  were  scarcely  made  when  a portion  of 
Law’s  Alabamians,  with  two  regiments  of  Robertson’s  Texans 
swarming  up  from  beyond  Devil’s  Den,  threw  themselves  against 
Vincent's  right-centre,  where  a fierce  conflict  began  to  rage. 
Very  soon  the  left  was  assailed,  and  the  Twentieth  was  at 
once  plunged  into  furious  conflict.  The  enemy  threatening  to 
outflank  us  and  to  envelop  our  left  and  rear,  the  Colonel  had 
promptly,  as  occasion  permitted,  stretched  his  regiment  to  the 
left  by  taking  intervals  by  the  left,  and  at  the  same  time  bent 
back,  or  " refused  ” the  left  wing,  so  that  it  was  nearly  at  right 
angles  with  the  right.  In  this  way  the  regiment  was  brought 
to  occupy  about  twice  the  extent  of  its  ordinary  front,  some  of 
the  companies  being  extended  into  single  rank,  where  the  ground 
gave  sufficient  shelter.  The  colors  were  planted  where  the  orig- 
inal left  had  been,  now  in  the  angle  of  the  line.  Upon  this 
salient  fell  a most  deadly  fire  during  the  hour  of  desperate  fight- 
ing which  followed. 

The  most  formidable  assailants  of  the  Twentieth  did  not, 
however,  advance  by  way  of  the  valley.  They  came  over  the 
summit  of  Big  Round  Top,  having  been  drawn  that  way  by  an 
interesting  incident  of  the  battle.  When  the  2d  U.  S.  Sharp- 
shooters retired  before  the  Confederate  advance,  a portion  of 
them  ambushed  themselves  on  the  side  of  Big  Round  Top, 
whence  they  poured  an  annoying  fire  upon  Law’s  men  as  they 
passed  up  the  gorge.  To  silence  this  fire  the  15th  and  47th 
Ala.,  under  direction  of  Col.  William  C.  Oates  of  the  15th, 
advanced  up  the  slope  of  Big  Round  Top,  against  the  Sharp- 
shooters, who  mysteriously  disappeared.  Reaching  the  sum- 
mit of  the  hill,  Colonel  Oates,  charmed  by  the  commanding 
position,  wished  to  hold  it ; but,  upon  the  receipt  of  an  urgent 
order  from  Law  to  " get  on  the  enemy’s  left  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible,” he  moved  the  two  regiments  down  the  hillside  and  across 
the  hollow  towards  the  slope  of  Little  Round  Top  (a) . 

They  advanced  in  battle  line  with  no  skirmishers,  the  15th 
Ala.  on  the  right  and  opposing  the  left  of  the  Twentieth 
Maine,  cutting  off  as  they  advanced  Captain  Morrill’s  company. 
It  was  a most  formidable  advance.  The  15th  Ala.  was  one 

(a)  Statement  of  Colonel  Oates  (1890). 


256 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


of  the  strongest  and  finest  regiments  in  Hood’s  division,  and 
largely  outnumbered  the  Twentieth  Maine.  Suddenly,  and  to 
the  Confederates  unexpectedly,  a most  destructive  volley  burst 
from  the  line  of  the  Twentieth  (a) . Surprised  but  not  discon- 
certed, the  Alabamians  replied,  and  the  fight  grew  fierce  and 
tense.  Coming  in  with  vastly  superior  numbers  on  the  flank 
of  the  Twentieth,  the  enemy  made  a left  wheel  in  order  to  take 
it  in  what  they  supposed  to  be  its  flank  and  rear,  or  at  least  to 
rake  it  with  an  enfilading  fire.  But  here  was  proved  the  great 
benefit  of  the  tactical  manoeuvre  of  the  "refused”  left  flank. 
The  enemy  was  met  by  a firm  front,  instead  of  falling  upon  an 
unguarded  rear.  Their  fire,  falling  on  the  left  wing  of  the 
Twentieth  in  front,  enfiladed  the  right  stretched  out  beyond. 
Against  both  fronts  of  the  regiment,  however,  the  whole  force 
of  the  enemy  advanced  in  repeated  charges.  "The  edge  of  the 
fight  swayed  backward  and  forward  like  a wave,”  are  the  words 
of  the  Colonel’s  report.  Squads  broke  through  each  line  in  one 
place  and  another.  Now  the  Maine  men  were  driven  back  and 
the  colors  of  the  enemy  for  a moment  are  inside  their  line. 

At  one  moment  it  looked  as  if  the  colors  of  the  Twentieth 
Maine  must  be  lost.  Buried  from  sight  in  smoke,  when  the 
black  cloud  lifted  for  a moment  the  colors  were  seen  almost 
alone.  All  the  Color-Guard  and  the  flanks  of  the  companies 
on  its  right  and  left  were  cut  away ; but  the  Color-Sergeant, 
Andrew  J.  Tozier,  was  standing  his  ground,  the  staff  planted 
on  the  earth,  and  supported  within  his  left  arm,  while  he  had 
picked  up  a musket  and  was  defending  his  colors  with  bullet, 
bayonet  and  butt,  alone  ! Seeing  this  heroic  example  and  the 
imminent  peril  of  the  colors  in  the  whirl  that  wrapped  the  left 
and  centre,  the  Colonel  sent  his  brother,  the  acting  Adjutant  (b) , 
to  rally  some  men,  wherever  they  could  be  found,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  Sergeant  and  the  rescue  of  the  colors.  In  order  to 
ensure  the  delivery  of  his  order  under  the  hot  fire  the  Colonel 
dispatched  immediately  Sergeant  Ruel  Thomas  (whom  he  had 
taken  as  a sort  of  staff-orderly)  with  the  same  instructions. 

(a)  Colonel  Oates  says  (1890;  that  he  did  not  know  of  the  presence  of  the  Twen- 
tieth Maine  among  the  rocks  and  trees  in  front  until  this  volley  was  delivered.  The 
fire  was  most  destructive ; but  he  felt  compelled  to  push  on  under  the  circumstances. 

(b)  Colonel  Chamberlain’s  official  report,  July  6,  18G3. 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


257 


At  the  same  time  the  Colonel  asked  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  83d  Penn.,  on  his  right,  for  a company  to  fill  this  perilous 
gap  ; but  the  83d  could  not  risk  its  own  safety  to  spare  a man. 

The  situation  was  desperate.  The  men  had  been  using 
cartridges  snatched  from  the  boxes  of  their  fallen  comrades, 
and  even  from  those  of  the  enemy.  A third  of  the  regiment 
was  down,  dead  or  disabled  on  their  line.  As  the  last  rounds 
of  ammunition  were  expended,  the  men  were  preparing  to  club 
their  muskets  as  the  last  resort  of  the  defensive.  They  had  so 
far  maintained  their  swaying  line  in  spite  of  the  terrible  press- 
ure on  point  after  point  of  it. 

But  in  a moment  the  scene  changed.  The  enemy  suddenly 
drew  back  to  the  shrubbery  and  rocks  in  the  bottom  of  the 
valley,  as  if  to  gather  force  for  a supreme  blow.  At  this  crisis, 
with  the  quick  and  resolute  instinct  to  strike  before  he  was 
struck,  Chamberlain  staked  all  upon  a desperate  counter-charge. 
He  repaired  to  the  left  centre  to  advise  Capt.  Ellis  Spear  (a) , 
wrho,  acting  as  field  officer,  was  in  charge  there,  of  his  new 
purpose.  Great  responsibility  was  to  fall  upon  this  officer,  as 
his  flank  was  to  start  the  movement,  and  moreover  to  become 
the  wheeling  flank,  as  the  movement  must  swin<j  on  the  right 
as  a pivot ; otherwise  the  regiment  would  be  cut  in  two  by  the 
enemy,  massing  on  the  centre,  as  they  naturally  would  do.  As 
the  Colonel  was  returning  to  the  centre  to  give  the  necessary 
order,  Lieutenant  Melcher  of  the  color  company  came  up 
to  him,  asking  permission  to  move  out  and  gather  up  some  of 
the  wounded  who  lay  between  the  two  lines.  " Yes,  sir.  Take 
your  place  with  your  company.  I am  about  to  order  a ' right 
wheel  forward’  of  the  whole  regiment”  was  the  reply.  The 
brave  young  officer  sprang  forward,  and  at  that  moment 
Chamberlain’s  voice  thrilled  along  the  line,  "Bayonet!”  The 
Colonel  placed  himself  at  the  centre,  on  the  apex  of  the  salient 
angle  of  his  line,  abreast  with  the  colors.  The  enemy  had  in 
the  mean  time  made  a furious  onset.  But  when  the  left  wins: 
whirled  the  enemy’s  right  out  of  the  shelter  of  rocks  they  had 
taken,  our  centre  dashed  upon  their  disordered  mass,  and  the 
whole  regiment  swept  forward  with  irresistible  force. 

(a)  Commissioned  Major,  but  not  mustered  as  such. 


258 


JIAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


In  the  first  onset  the  Colonel  cauie  directly  in  contact  with 
the  commanding  officer  leading  the  enemy’s  centre,  with  uplifted 
sword  in  one  hand  and  a heavy  " Colt’s”  revolver  in  the  other. 
He  fired  one  barrel  in  the  Colonel’s  face,  and  gave  him  his 
sword  with  the  other  hand  (a) . 

The  left  wing  had  now  fought  its  way  up  abreast  with  the 
right,  what  was  left  of  the  two  centre  companies  closing  on  the 
colors  ; Capt.  A.  M.  Clark,  the  senior  captain,  commanding  on 
the  right,  holding  that  flank  well  to  the  83d  Penn.,  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  trying  to  breakthrough  between,  and  the  whole 
regiment,  like  a reaper,  cutting  down  the  disconcerted  foe. 
Many  in  their  first  line  threw  down  their  loaded  arms,  threw  up 
their  hands  and  surrendered  ; others  were  taken  in  hand-to-hand 
conflicts.  Still  sweeping  in  an  extended  right  wheel,  the  Twen- 
tieth routed  a second  line,  trying  to  rally  for  a stand  (b) . The 
Confederates  did  not  rally.  They  had  suffered  severely  at  the 
hands  of  the  Twentieth,  and  moreover  had  been  subjected  to  a 
mysterious  and  alarming  fire  from  their  right  and  rear.  They 
were  not  aware  that  some  of  the  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters  who 
had  disappeared  on  Big  Round  Top  had  joined  Captain  Morrill’s 
skirmishers  behind  a stone-wall,  on  the  right  of  the  15th  Ala., 
where  these  combined  forces  rendered  most  material  aid  in  the 
final  charge  of  the  regiment.  No  less  than  400  prisoners,  includ- 
ing two  field  and  several  line  officers,  were  captured,  most  of 
them  from  the  15th  and  47th  Ala.,  with  a few  from  the  4th  and 
5th  Texas (c) . 

The  Confederates  were  driven  completely  and  finally  from 
the  front  of  the  Twentieth ; nor  had  Law’s  most  desperate 
assaults  succeeded  in  gaining  a foothold  in  any  other  portion  of 
the  line  held  by  Vincent’s  brigade.  At  the  hour  when  the 
Twentieth  Maine  dashed  upon  the  15th  and  47th  Ala.  regiments, 
Little  Round  Top  was  saved,  not  to  be  attacked  again. 

It  was  about  6 : 30  p.  M.  when  the  Confederates  were  driven 

(a)  See  Rebellion  Records,  serial  number  43,  page  624. 

(b)  These  were  squads  or  groups  of  the  47th  and  4th  Ala.  and  some  of  the  4th  and 
5th  Texas,  which  had  been  attacking  the  left  centre  of  the  brigade. 

(c)  According  to  Captain  Prince’s  address  at  Gettysburg  1889)  fifty  dead  of  the 
15tli  Ala.  were  buried  in  front  of  the  Twentieth,  and  about  100  of  their  badly  wounded 
were  left  to  become  prisoners. 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


259 


from  the  south  side  of  Little  Round  Top.  But  the  withdrawal 
of  the  enemy  did  not  leave  the  Twentieth  Maine  the  much 
needed  opportunity  to  take  rest  or  even  to  perform  the  saddest 
duty  of  the  soldier  on  the  battlefield,  the  burial  of  his  dead 
comrades.  Of  the  wooded  slopes  of  Big  Round  Top,  towering 
664  feet  above  the  plain,  the  foot  of  it  but  a few  rods  from  the 
position  of  the  Twentieth,  the  enemy  were  still  in  possession. 
The  commander  of  the  brigade  directed  Colonel  Chamberlain  to 
advance  and  seize  the  crest  of  Big  Round  Top.  Colonel  Rice, 
Vincent’s  successor,  says  in  his  report  : " I ordered  Colonel 
Chamberlain,  of  the  Twentieth  Maine,  to  advance  and  take  pos- 
session of  the  mountain.  This  order  was  promptly  and  gal- 
lantly executed  by  this  brave  and  accomplished  officer,  who 
rapidly  drove  the  enemy  over  the  mountain,  capturing  many 
prisoners.” 

The  regiment,  including  company  B recalled,  now  number- 
ing about  200  men,  scrambled  up  the  ascent.  It  was  9 o’clock 
before  the  advance  began,  and  darkness  shrouded  the  summit 
of  the  hill  and  had  settled  deep  on  its  rocky,  wooded  and  pre- 
cipitous sides.  With  fixed  bayonets  and  in  extended  order,  the 
little  band  pressed  up  the  black  hillside.  In  front  of  them  they 
could  hear  the  movements  of  squads  of  the  enemy  falling  back  ; 
and  when  near  the  summit  they  received  a straggling  and  uncer- 
tain fire  out  of  the  darkness.  Twenty-five  prisoners  were  taken 
in  tills  advance,  among  them  a staff  officer  of  General  Law. 
Upon  the  crest  of  the  hill  Colonel  Chamberlain  placed  the  reg- 
iment in  a strong  position  among  the  rocks,  and  sent  back  for 
reinforcements  and  ammunition, — for  not  the  least  gallant  feat- 
ure of  this  advance  was  the  fact  that  the  soldiers  made  it  with 
empty  cartridge  boxes  and  without  supports  near  at  hand. 

Through  some  misadventure  the  necessary  supporting  and 
connecting  troops  were  wanting,  and  the  Twentieth  remained 
for  some  time  detached  from  the  other  Union  forces  and  within 
musket  range  of  the  enemy.  To  quote  from  Lieutenant  Miller 
of  the  Twentieth  Maine,  in  his  address  October  3,  1889,  at  the 
dedication  of  the  monument  erected  by  the  state  to  the  Twen- 
tieth, on  Big  Round  Top  : 

“Apprehending  that  the  rebels  might  seize  this  opportunity  to  envelop 


260 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


our  right,  Colonel  Chamberlain  hastily  detailed  a picket  line  on  the  front  and 
left,  and  retired  the  main  body  to  lower  ground  near  the  foot  of  the  ascent. 
He  then  dispatched  a request  to  Colonel  Rice  for  the  83d  Penn,  and  after- 
ward for  the  44th  N.  Y.  to  support  the  Twentieth  on  the  right  by  echelon. 
In  this  formation,  being  partially  supplied  with  ammunition,  the  line  again 
advanced  considerably  beyond  its  former  position,  where  the  men  lay  on 
their  arms  till  morning,  expecting  an  attack  at  any  moment. 

“ I have  mentioned  the  detail  of  a picket  line  in  the  early  part  of  the  night. 
These  pickets  advanced  down  the  side  of  the  hill  in  our  front  until  they  could 
see  the  enemy  by  the  light  of  their  camp-fires  and  hear  conversation,  when 
they  retired  part  way  up  to  the  crest.  The  Confederates  had  evidently  seen 
their  movements,  for  they  soon  sent  a squad  to  ascertain  whether  they  were 
friends  or  foes.  Being  halted  by  our  pickets,  they  answered  ‘ friends  ’ and 
were  told  to  come  right  along.  This  strategy  was  continued  until  twenty-five 
of  the  4th  Tex.  regiment  had  been  captured  by  company  E on  the  right  of 
the  line.  At  this  time  some  officer,  farther  to  the  left,  gave  an  order  to  fire, 
and  no  more  prisoners  were  taken  that  night.  These  prisoners  were  sent  to 
the  rear  under  the  escort  of  John  Bradford  and  Eugene  Kelleran  of  company 
I,  who  tramped  around  in  the  darkness  a long  time  trying  to  find  the  provost 
guard.  Coming  out  into  an  open  space  they  decided  to  bivouac  till  morning, 
when  the  prisoners  were  turned  over  to  the  proper  officer. 

“The  only  casualty  in  the  Twentieth  during  this  movement  occurred 
in  the  morning,  when  Lieut.  Arad  Linscott  took  a musket  and  going  out  in 
advance  of  the  picket  line  to  get  a shot  at  the  enemy,  who  were  firing  in 
among  our  men,  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  thigh  by  a sharpshooter.” 

The  following  is  an  excerpt  from  Colonel  Chamberlain’s  field 
notes  made  upon  the  battlefield,  which  further  elucidates  the 
exciting  circumstances  and  events  of  the  evening  of  July  2d  : 

“At  about  dusk  Fisher  came  up  with  brigade  of  Penn.  Reserves,  in  rear 
of  our  line  of  battle.  Rice  asked  him  to  advance  and  seize  Great  Round  Top. 
He  declined.  Rice  then  asked  me  to  go.  We  formed — about  200  men — in 
extended  order;  one  rank,  bayonets  fixed,  no  firing,  little  ammunition.  Quite 
dark.  Rough  scrambling;  few  of  enemy  before  us;  took  two  officers  pris- 
oners, one  Captain  Christian,  and  five  or  six  men.  Arriving  at  crest,  drew 
together;  solid  front;  in  half  hour  two  regiments  came  up  on  right  as  supports. 
Tried  to  form  them  on  our  right  rear;  sharp,  close  volley  from  right;  sup- 
ports confused  and  withdrew.  Dangerous  situation.  Divided  regiment;  half 
holding  present  ground;  half  withdrawn  to  ground  abandoned  by  supports, 
half  way  down  right  rear.  Sent  for  83d  Penn.  Relieved  my  reserved  line 
with  these,  and  resumed  former  position  with  whole  regiment.  Formed  two 
reliefs  of  skirmishers,  sent  down  in  front;  relieved  every  two  hours.  Right 
of  skirmish  line  took  about  twenty  more  prisoners  Texas  troops.  Linscott 
mortally  wounded  on  skirmish  line  early  in  morning.  Sharp  skirmishing  at 
daylight.  Strong  skirmish  line  of  enemy  all  around  right  front.  Two  regi- 
ments of  Reserves  had  come  up  towards  morning  on  left,  near  summit.  Some 
supplies  of  ammunition  came  up  with  83d  Penn,  at  once  distributed;  served 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


261 


well.  Withdrawn  with  brigade  at  about  9 in  morning  and  placed  in  support 
of  troops  on  left  centre  of  general  line;  to  left  of  ‘ Pickett’s  charge.’  Not  en- 
gaged; under  heavy  artillery  fire  all  forenoon.  Remained  all  day  and  night.” 

The  83d  Penn,  and  44th  N.  Y.  were  posted  on  the  right  to 
guard  this  isolated  position  almost  within  the  enemy’s  lines. 
With  a strong  picket  line  advanced  nearly  to  the  Confederates 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  changing  every  two  hours,  the 
defenders  of  Big  Round  Top  lay  down  upon  their  arms  ; and  a 
broken  sleep  succeeded  the  deadly  strife  and  wild  tumult  of 
the  day.  By  our  thus  gaining  possession  of  Big  Round  Top 
the  enemy  were  induced  to  give  up  further  attack  upon  the 
Union  left. 

At  the  opening  of  the  fight. there  was  no  time  for  the  men 
to  take  much  heed  to  shelter  themselves.  But  as  the  battle 
grew,  the  regimental  line  conformed  itself  to  the  nature  of  the 
ground,  and  availed  itself  of  momentary  lulls  to  throw  up  slight 
breastworks  of  loose  rocks  behind  which  the  men,  lying  down, 
could  find  some  protection.  When  the  regiment  was  preparing 
to  extend  its  front  and  refuse  its  left,  extended  as  has  been 
stated,  the  colors  were  placed  where  the  extreme  left  had  been ; 
they  were  stationed  where  a decayed  tree  had  been  broken  off 
but  adhering  to  its  stump  about  three  feet  from  the  ground,  in 
the  line  of  direction  to  the  right.  But  between  this  stump  and 
the  great  rock  where  the  monument  now  stands  there  was  no 
protection,  nor  means  to  make  any. 

It  will  be  noticed  in  the  list  of  casualties  that  all  the  cor- 
porals and  one  sergeant  of  company  F,  the  color  company,  were 
killed  or  wounded ; and  that  six  corporals  and  two  sergeants 
of  company  A,  on  its  left,  were  killed  or  wounded.  Only  two 
of  the  color-guard  escaped  unhurt.  The  Colonel  was  struck 
twice,  although  not  disabled, — a tearing  cut  in  the  right  instep 
by  a piece  of  shell  or  a splinter  of  rock,  and  a contusion  on 
the  left  thigh  by  the  steel  scabbard  being  doubled  against  it, 
struck  by  a minnie  ball ; the  Adjutant  received  several  scratches, 
and  several  others,  both  officers  and  men,  were  slightly  hurt, 
but  remained  on  duty. 

From  the  fact  that  the  men  fired  at  least  sixty  rounds  to  a 
man,  it  is  evident  that  they  fought  for  considerably  more  than 


262 


MAINE  AT  GETTY SBTJRG . 


an  hour,  closely  engaged.  If  the  enemy  fired  half  that  num- 
ber, there  were  not  less  than  20,000  bullets  directed  upon  the 
regiment.  It  is  no  wonder  that  the  trees  on  that  slope  were 
completely  " peppered  ” with  bullets  to  the  height  of  five  or  six 
feet.  One  tree,  some  three  or  four  inches  through,  in  front  of 
the  left  of  company  F,  was  cut  entirely  off  about  two  feet 
above  the  ground.  The  ragged  edges  of  the  cut  showed  that  it 
was  made  by  bullets,  and  not  by  a shell. 

But  even  sheltered  and  spared  as  the  men  were,  the  casual- 
ties shown  in  the  list  of  names  entitle  this  regiment  to  be  called 
one  of  the  "fighting  regiments,”  according  to  the  popular 
judgment  based  on  the  number  of  men  lost  in  action.  This  is 
proof  of  being  exposed  to  hostile  lire,  but  not  necessarily  of 
the  degree  of  service  rendered  in  action. 

At  10  o’clock  on  the  3d  the  Twentieth  took  a position  with 
the  brigade  to  the  right  of  Little  Bound  Top  to  support  the 
troops  on  our  left  centre.  There  it  remained  during  the  battle 
of  the  third  day,  not  called  upon  to  assist  in  repelling  the  charge 
of  Pickett’s  division,  which  fell  further  to  the  right. 

On  the  morning  after  Pickett’s  charge,  the  regiment  with  the 
brigade  made  a reconnaissance  to  the  front,  through  the  Peach 
Orchard  and  by  the  " burning  barn  ” used  as  a hospital  by  both 
parties.  Pushing  on  as  far  as  Willoughby  Bun,  no  enemy 
being  discovered,  the  brigade  was  brought  back,  and  Colonel 
Chamberlain  went  up  to  Little  Bound  Top  and  looked  after  his 
dead.  The  regiments  gathered  their  dead  from  the  sheltered 
places  where  they  had  been  borne,  and  buried  them  on  the 
southern  side  of  the  crest  behind  their  line  of  battle.  Bude  head- 
boards,  made  of  ammunition  boxes,  marked  each  grave,  and 
bore,  rudely  but  tenderly  carved,  the  name  and  home  of  every 
man  (a).  Detachments  from  the  brigade  buried  many  of  the 
rebel  dead  at  the  foot  of  the  slopes,  on  the  edge  of  the  valley 
near  where  they  had  fallen.  The  bodies  of  the  Twentieth  Maine 
have  since  been  removed  to  the  National  cemetery,  where  sev- 
eral of  them  are  marked  " unknown.”  The  headboards  placed 
by  comrades  had  evidently  been  unheeded  or  taken  away. 

(a)  General  Chamberlain’s  lecture,  October,  1866,  “ Twentieth  Maine  at  Get- 
tysburg.” 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


263 


PARTICIPANTS. 


FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 


Colonel,  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain,  Brunswick. 

Acting  Field  Officer,  Captain  Atherton  W.  Clark,  Waldoboro,  company  E. 
Acting  Field  Officer,  Captain  Ellis  Spear,  Wiscasset,  company  G. 

Acting  Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Thomas  D.  Chamberlain,  Bangor,  co.  G. 
Quartermaster,  Alden  Litchfield,  Rockland. 

Chaplain,  Luther  P.  French,  East  Corinth;  at  hospital. 

Acting  Sergeant-Major,  Samuel  L.  Miller,  Waldoboro,  company  E. 

Color  Sergeant,  Andrew  J.  Tozier,  Plymouth,  company  I. 

Colonel’s  orderly,  Reuel  Thomas,  Thomaston,  Sergeant  company  I. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Howard  L.  Prince,  Cumberland. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Elmas  M.  Kalloch,  Warren. 

Hospital  Steward,  Granville  M.  Baker,  Standish. 

Company  A. 

First  Lieutenant,  Addison  W.  Lewis,  Waterville,  commanding. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Charles  R.  Shorey,  Waterville, 

Henry  W.  Getchell,  Winslow,  James  H.  Harrington,  Burnham, 

George  W.  Reynolds,  Sidney,  Albert  M,  Clark,  Waterville. 


Charles  H.  Reed,  Freedom, 
Charles  E.  Avery,  Sidney, 
Laforrest  P.  True,  Clinton, 
Fred  H.  Mann,  Sidney, 

Bartlett,  Charles  H.,  Sidney, 
Breen,  John  H.,  Augusta, 
Dawes,  Calvin,  Cumberland, 
Fuller,  Emulus  S.,  Eustis, 
Hall,  Isaac  C.,  Freedom, 
Hutchins,  Alvah  L.,  Freedom, 
Lore,  Charles,  Waterville, 
Norton,  Hiram,  Solon, 
Stevens,  Jeremiah  C.,  Sidney, 
Surry,  Joseph  L.,  Castine, 
Tarbell,  Erastus,  Clinton, 
True,  Franklin,  Clinton, 
Whitten,  Isaiah,  Alfred, 
Willey,  William  E.,  Belgrade, 


CORPORALS. 

David  J.  Lewis,  Waterville, 
Joseph  D.  Simpson,  Waterville, 
John  Reed,  Jr.,  Eustis, 

Henry  M.  Tozer,  Waterville. 
PRIVATES. 

Benson,  Thomas  S.,  Sidney, 
Church,  Chandler  K.,  Burnham, 
Foss,  Washington,  Cornville, 
Grindle,  Joseph,  Bangor, 

Hill,  William  E.,  Burnham, 
Longley,  Samuel,  Sidney. 
Marden,  Ezra  B.,  Bangor, 
Rankins,  William,  Waterville, 
Shaw,  Resolvo,  Waterville, 
Stinson,  Merritt,  Clinton, 
Sylvester,  Ira  R.,  Freedom, 
Taylor,  Alfred,  Eustis, 
Wardwell,  David  S.,  Clinton, 
Young,  Ervin  S.,  Solon. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  William  A.  Estes,  Bangor, 
battery  C,  ist  N.  Y. ; Henry  H.  Scribner,  Bangor,  George  A.  Webber,  Ells- 
worth, and  George  W.  Young,  Bangor,  battery  L,  ist  Ohio;  John  King, 
Waterville,  and  Edgar  Scates,  Waterville,  regt’l  hosp. ; Eben  Rowe,  Bel- 
grade, with  regt’l  baggage;  Elijah  G.  Stevens,  Belgrade. 


264 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  B. 

Captain,  Walter  G.  Morrill,  Williamsburg. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Frederic  W.  Lane,  Milo. 

SERGEANTS. 

Acting  First  Sergeant,  William  Griffin,  Stockton, 

Samuel  G.  Crocker,  Brownville,  Royal  B.  Decker,  Lagrange. 

CORPORALS. 

George  H.  Moulton,  Lagrange,  William  H.  Owen,  Milo, 


William  T.  Livermore,  Milo, 

Cyrus  C.  Durgin,  Sebec, 

PRIVATES. 

Burrill,  Newell  E.,  Dover, 

Cross,  Eli  W.,  Dover, 

Cummings,  Wesley,  Albany, 

Field,  Benjamin  R.,  Foxcroft, 
Frees,  William  L.,  Maxfield, 
Hitchborn,  George  W.,  Medford, 
Lamson,  William  P.,  J r. , Sebec, 
Leonard,  Abial  E.,  Milo, 

Lyford,  Danville  B.,  Sebec, 

Morrill,  Edwin,  Sebec, 

Page,  David  F.,  Atkinson, 
Richardson,  George  H.,  Denmark, 
Sanborn,  William  S.,  Lagrange, 
Skillings,  Charles  A.,  Guilford, 
Stone,  George  W.,  Richmond, 


Walter  S.  Bray,  Dover, 

Richard  Hughes,  Brownville, 

Thomas  F.  Hodgdon,  Milo. 

Brown,  William  A.,  Sebec, 

Cotton,  Richard  G.,  Williamsburg, 

Cummings,  Leonard  N.,  Albany, 

Edes,  Augustus,  Abbot, 

Freeman,  Samuel,  Medford, 

Higgins,  David  S.,  Sebec, 

Johnson,  John,  Solon, 

Leach,  George  W.,  New  Brunswick, 

Libby,  Seth  H.,  Lagrange, 

Lyford,  John,  Sebec, 

Oakes,  Hudson  S.,  Foxcroft, 

Parkman,  Franklin  B.,  Guilford, 

Sanborn,  Edmund  R.,  Lagrange, 

Sanders,  Henry  C.,  Brownville, 

Spaulding,  Randall  H.,  Foxcroft, 

Warner,  Sumner  L.,  Dover. 

Musician,  William  F.  Gould,  Eastport. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Charles  E.  Bowker,  Orring- 
ton,  battery  L,  ist  Ohio;  Arthur  Jordan,  Ellsworth,  and  Augustus  N.  Lufkin, 
Orrington,  battery  I,  5th  U.  S.;  Daniel  A.  Jackson,  Orneville,  regt’l  hosp. 

Company  C. 

Captain,  Charles  W.  Billings,  Clinton. 

First  Lieutenant,  Rufus  B.  Plummer,  Linneus,  assigned  to  G. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  H.  Stanwood,  Waldoboro. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Isaac  W.  Estes,  Bethel, 


George  H.  Wood,  Hartford, 
Arad  Thompson,  Livermore, 

Andrew  C.  Deering,  Foxcroft, 
Nathaniel  S.  Estes,  Bethel, 

Allen,  Elliot  C.,  Wilton, 
Beadle,  Charles  M.,  Buckfield, 
Bean,  Edgar  F.,  Bethel, 

Buck,  Charles  T.,  Sumner, 
Chase,  Benjamin  F.,  Sumner, 


Andrew  J.  Roberts,  Sumner, 
Charles  A.  Knapp,  Rumford. 
corporals. 

Arthur  B.  Latham,  Buckfield, 
Vincent  W.  Pinhorn,  Orrington. 
PRIVATES. 

Barker,  Eugene  A.,  Rumford, 
Bean,  Arthur  M.,  Bethel, 

Bryant,  Varano  G.,  Bethel, 
Carpenter,  Henry  A.,  Charleston, 
Davis,  Moses,  Caribou, 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


265 


Drake,  Elisha  O.,  Livermore, 
Fogg,  Elliott  L.,  Sumner, 

Heald,  Llewellyn  B.,  Sumner, 
Hodgman,  Osgood  A.,  Rumford, 
Mills,  George  V.,  Brooksville, 
Moore,  Henry  H.,  Canaan, 
Murdock,  Sylvester  E.,  Buckfield, 
O’Connell,  John,  Waterford, 
Powers,  Charles  P.,  Newry, 

Royal,  David  H.,  Bangor, 
Stevens,  Oliver  L.,  Livermore, 
Thomas,  Moses  S.,  Woodland, 
Turner,  Winslow,  Buckfield, 
Whittier,  Charles  G.,  Caribou, 
York,  George  H.,  Woodstock. 


Faunce,  Edward,  Rumford, 
Heald,  Benjamin  F.,  Sumner, 
Hodgdon,  Josiah  S.,  Peru, 
Melcher,  Samuel  G.,  Brunswick, 
Monk,  Decatur,  Buckfield, 
Morton,  Daniel  W.,  Windsor, 
Neal,  George  D.,  Livermore, 
Odlin,  Waldo  P.,  Bangor, 
Roberts,  Albert,  Livermore, 
Small,  Alva  B.,  Caribou, 
Thomas,  James,  Rumford, 
Tobin,  John,  Caribou, 

Verrill,  Moses  F.,  Buckfield, 
Wright,  John,  Veazie, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Lafayette  M.  Crosby, 
Harmony,  battery  I,  5th  U.  S. ; John  Harmoft,  Buxton,  Samuel  F.  Mallett, 
Lee,  and  John  H.  Wentworth,  Veazie,  battery  C,  1st  N.  Y.;  John  E.  Carl- 
ton, Hanover,  and  Erskine  C.  Smith,  Hanover,  in  quarterm’r  dept. 


Company  D. 

Captain,  Joseph  B.  Fitch,  Bristol. 

First  Lieutenant,  Weston  H.  Keene,  Bremen. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Mattson  C.  Sanborn,  South  Berwick. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Joseph  Walker,  Jr.,  Atkinson, 

Randall  B.  Morton,  Windham,  Jonathan  G.  Johnson,  Garland, 

George  W.  Card,  Dexter,  Joseph  A.  Young,  Bingham. 

CORPORALS. 

John  M.  Safford,  Corinna,  Luther  M.  Rideout,  Garland, 

Sanford  A.  Carpenter,  Portland,  Oliver  French,  Solon, 

Andrew  D.  Mabury,  Windham,  Willard  Pinkham,  Charleston, 
Albert  J.  Swan  ton,  Dexter. 


Ames,  Addison  M.,  Cornville, 
Augustine,  Peter,  Dexter, 

Baker,  Sylvester  P.,  Solon, 

Coan,  Elisha  S.,  Garland, 

Crocker,  George  A.,  Dexter, 

Ellis,  Augustus,  Dexter, 

Herrin,  Benjamin  F.,  Skowhegan, 
Jones,  Danville  F.,  Cornville, 
Libby,  Leander  M.,  Corinna, 
McPhee,  Michael  J.,  Bangor, 
Pennington,  Christopher,  Garland, 
Prescott,  Stephen  A. , Dexter, 
Ramsdell,  John  N.,  Exeter, 

Shay,  Michael,  Bangor, 

Stevens,  Daniel,  Wellington, 

Musician  : Alonzo  P.  Allen,  C 


Anderson,  James,  Bangor, 

Bailey,  George  T.,  Dexter, 

Barker,  Isaac  C.,  Exeter, 

Coombs,  Thomas  A.,  Brunswick, 
Curtis,  Merrill  G.,  Dexter, 
Greeley,  Cyrus  S.,  Dexter, 
Hunnewell,  Franklin  S.,  Portland, 
Knox,  Sumner,  Garland, 

Lynes,  John,  Jr.,  Bangor, 

Moon,  Moses,  Ellsworth, 

Prescott,  Eli  L.,  Dexter, 

Ramsdell,  Benjamin  F.,  Gray, 
Rich,  George  R.,  Charleston, 
Skillings,  Sumner  L.,  Garland, 
Swett,  Henry  A.,  Garland. 


266 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  John  Grenier,  St.  Francis, 
and  James  Hickey,  Bangor,  battery  C,  istMass. ; Elsbra  McCoy,  Bangor,  and 
Leander  Shaw,  Exeter,  battery  D,  5th  U.  S. ; Edward  P.  Merrill,  Portland, 
and  Dennis  S.  Pullen,  Dexter,  hosp.  dept. ; Aaron  M.  Page,  Charleston. 

Company  E. 

Captain,  Atherton  W.  Clark,  Waldoboro,  acting  Field  Officer. 

First  Lieutenant,  Henry  F.  Sidelinger,  Union,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Thomas  R.  Hogue,  Waldoboro. 

SERGEANTS. 

istSergt.,  JohnM.  Sherwood,  Bangor,  Charles  H.  Haynes,  Ellsworth, 
William  H.  H.  Hasey,  Bangor,  Gardiner  Schwartz,  Waldoboro. 

CORPORALS. 

George  A.  Hock,  Waldoboro,  John  M.  Sherman,  Waldoboro, 

Raymond  W.  Hoffses,  Waldoboro,  Albert  E.  Titus,  Union, 

Timothy  F.  Brown,  Bristol. 


Bates,  Calvin,  Waldoboro, 
Bickmore,  Charles  E.,  Waldoboro, 
Brock,  Lowell,  Waldoboro, 

Bryant,  Elbridge  R.,  Bristol, 
Chapman,  Edward  K.,  Waldoboro, 
Cudworth,  Levi,  Bristol, 

Davis,  William  L.,  Union, 
Humphrey,  Albert  E.,  Waldoboro, 
Levensaler,  Elijah  S.,  Waldoboro, 
Maddox,  Aaron  W.,  Union, 

Mann,  Patrick,  Bristol, 

McIntyre,  Joseph,  Bristol, 

Mero,  Charles  H.,  Waldoboro, 
Palmer,  George,  Bristol, 

Trundy,  Hiram  W. , Union, 
Twomey,  Thomas,  Bangor, 
Whitney,  Charles  A.,  Etna, 


PRIVATES. 

Benner,  George  G.,  Waldoboro, 
Brackett,  Chandler,  Union, 
Brown,  Charles  C.,  East  Benton, 
Caswell,  George  B.,  Bristol, 
Conway,  John,  Bangor, 

Cutler,  Alvin,  Bristol, 

Fernald,  John  Q.  A.,  Waldoboro, 
Lenfest,  John,  Union, 

Little,  Thomas  C.,  Bristol, 

Mank,  Leander  M.,  Waldoboro, 
McIntyre,  John  J.,  Bristol, 
McKim,  William  D.,  Bristol, 
Mink,  Orchard  F.,  Waldoboro, 
Townsend,  Thomas,  Houlton, 
Turner,  Barden,  Waldoboro, 
Wentworth,  William  H.,  Bangor, 


Witherell,  Edwin  S.,  Augusta, 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Samuel  L.  Miller,  Waldo- 
boro, act’g  Sergt. -Major;  William  H.  Chamberlain,  Sewall  M.  Cowan,  Ban- 
gor, Edwin  H.  Dunn,  Bangor,  and  Lewis  F.  Morse,  Veazie,  battery  D,  5th 
U.  S. ; William  P.  Harvey,  Bangor,  battery  C,  1st  Mass. ; Henry  H.  Butler, 
Union,  comm’y  dept.;  Cyrus  G.  Stewart,  Union,  quarterm’r  dept.;  Reuben 
Walton,  Waldoboro. 


Company  F. 

Captain,  Samuel  T.  Keene,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Holman  S.  Melcher,  Topsham. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Hezekiah  Long,  Thomaston, 

Ammi  M.  Smith,  Parkman,  George  Crocker,  St.  Albans, 

James  R.  Martin,  Parkman. 


CORPORALS. 

Albion  Brown,  Harmony,  John  W.  Morin,  Embden, 

Franklin  B.  Ward,  Brighton,  Paschal  M.  Tripp,  Ripley, 

William  S.  Hodgdon,  Embden,  John  Foss,  Athens. 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


267 


Boothby,  Adney  D.,  Athens, 
Brown,  Elisha  A.,  Solon, 

Carr,  Elijah,  Bangor, 

Clark,  Seth  W.,  Solon, 

Collins,  Elias  S.,  Harmony, 
Curtis,  Frank  B.,  Wellington, 
Daniels,  George  G.,  Harmony, 
Davis,  William  H.,  Cambridge, 
Dinsmore,  Eben  F.,  Hartland, 
Dunlap,  Horace,  Ripley, 

Fox,  Samuel  A.,  Cornville, 
Frost,  Albert,  St.  Albans, 
Gordon,  Frank,  St.  Albans, 
Grant,  Benjamin  W.,  Cornville, 
Hall,  Leonidas,  Portland, 
Johnson,  Sullivan,  St.  Albans, 
Palmer,  Luther  L.,  Cornville, 
Poland,  Samuel,  Athens, 

Stone,  Jesse  M.,  Ripley, 
Wentworth,  John,  Athens, 
White,  Sylvanus  R.,  St.  Albans, 
Withered,  Robert  A.,  Bangor, 


PRIVATES. 

Bosworth,  Michael,  Solon, 
Bussell,  Oshea,  Wellington, 
Clark,  Horace  B.,  Cornville, 
Clifford,  John  F.,  Bangor, 
Coombs,  Augustus  F.,  Parkman, 
Daggett,  Isaac  T.,  Bingham, 
Davis,  Gilman,  Wellington, 
DeWitt,  Joseph  E.,  Ripley, 
Dunham,  Dawson  J.,  Cornville, 
Foss,  Elfin  J.,  Embden, 

French,  Edward  B.,  Athens, 
Gordon,  Edmund,  Bangor, 
Gordon,  Isaiah  L.,  St.  Albans, 
Hall,  Charles  F.,  Bangor, 

Hilton,  Daniel,  Cornville, 

Libby,  Benjamin  D.,  Athens, 
Patten,  David,  Cornville, 
Redmond,  George  K.,  Embden, 
Weaver,  Leander  S.,  Parkman, 
Wentworth,  Sanford  H.,  Athens, 
Whitman,  Ezekiel,  Brighton, 
Wyer,  Oscar,  Bangor, 


Young,  Thomas  J.,  Athens. 

Musician:  Michael  Quimby,  Bangor. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Crosby  N.  Crocker,  team- 
ster quartermaster’s  dept.;  Henry  Reaviel,  Bangor,  and  William  N.  Witham, 
Bangor,  battery  C,  ist  N.  Y. 


Company  G. 

Captain,  Ellis  Spear,  acting  Field  Officer  (see  Field  and  Staff). 

First  Lieutenant,  Thomas  D.  Chamberlain,  act’g  Adjt.  (see  Field  and  Staff). 
[First  Lieutenant  Rufus  B.  Plummer  of  co.  C,  commanding.] 

Second  Lieutenant,  Warren  L.  Kendall,  Belfast. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  James  C.  Rundlett,  East  Pittston, 

Abner  S.  Hiscock,  Damariscotta,  Eugene  R.  Jackson,  Jefferson, 

William  B.  Greenwood,  Wiscasset,  William  S.  Jordan,  Bangor. 

corporals. 

George  W.  Bowman,  Jefferson,  Cyrus  Osborn,  Aina, 

Elisha  Meserve,  Wiscasset,  Melville  C.  Day,  Jefferson, 

Samuel  G.  Bailey,  Woolwich. 


Averill,  Edward,  Jefferson, 
Bailey,  David  A.,  Woolwich, 
Baker,  James  H.,  Woolwich, 
Barnes,  Moody  D.,  Nobleboro, 
Buker,  William  G.,  Brunswick, 
Butler,  Alvin,  Mt.  Vernon, 
Carter,  Lewis  D.,  Woolwich, 
Cushman,  Llewellyn,  Woolwich, 


privates. 

Ayer,  Charles  N.,  Brewer, 

Bailey,  Harlan  P.,  Woolwich, 
Baker,  Josiah  H.,  Edgecomb, 
Borneman,  Luther  C.,  Jefferson, 
Burr,  Frank,  Brewer, 

Carr,  Almon  P.,  Mt.  Vernon, 
Cunningham,  Albert,  Edgecomb, 
Cushman,  Wales  H.,  Woolwich, 


268 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Dunbar,  Harlow,  Nobleboro, 
Given,  John  T.,  Brewer, 

Huff,  Gilman  P.,  Edgecomb, 
Light,  Alva,  Edgecomb, 
Kennedy,  John  M.,  Richmond, 
Murphy,  Jere,  Bangor, 

Pero,  Henry,  Wiscasset, 

Preble,  Henry  C.,  Woolwich, 
Smith,  James  H.,  Wellington, 
Sweeney,  Eugene,  Newcastle, 
Tibbetts,  Jotham  D.,  Woolwich, 
Vinal,  John,  Jefferson, 

Wright,  I7 red  R.,  Wiscasset. 


Erskine,  James  H.,  Bristol, 

Herscomb,  Andrew,  Edgecomb, 
Knight,  James  A.,  Edgecomb, 

Lowell,  Samuel  T.,  Aina, 

Moody,  Albert  A.,  Waldoboro, 

Nash,  James  A.,  Nobleboro, 

Preble,  George,  Edgecomb, 

Rankin,  William,  Newcastle, 

Smith,  John  T.,  Edgecomb, 

Swett,  Nathaniel  L.,  Orrington, 
Veazie,  Samuel  W.,  Bangor, 

Wheeler,  Henry  L.,  Greenfield,  Mass., 


Musician:  George  D.  Hodgdon,  Richmond. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Marcellus  Blake,  Carmel, 
and  Albert  L.  Spencer,  Bangor,  battery  C,  ist  Mass.;  John  T.  Given,  Brewer, 
battery  C,  ist  N.  Y. ; Joseph  Linscott,  Newcastle,  regimental  armorer;  James 
G.  Brann,  Jefferson;  Alexis  F.  Flagg,  Aina;  Jotham  D.  Williams,  Aina. 

Company  H. 

Captain,  Joseph  F.  Land,  Edgecomb. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  W.  Morrell,  Brunswick. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  K.  Bickford,  Thomaston. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Charles  W.  Steele,  Oakfield  Plantation, 

Lewis  Merriam,  Jr.,  Houlton,  James  A.  Horton,  Haynesville, 

Isaac  N.  Lathrop,  Bangor,  Charles  W.  Proctor,  Oxbow  PI., 

George  W.  Buck,  Linneus,  promoted  on  the  field,  from  Private. 

corporals. 

Myron  W.  Harris,  Littleton,  John  M.  Libby,  Biddeford, 

Andrew  J.  York,  Pownal,  Nathan  S.  Clark,  Masardis, 

George  F.  Estabrook,  Amity. 


privates. 


Adams,  Aaron,  Linneus, 

Clifford,  Benjamin  F.,  Linneus, 
Davis,  Fred  T.,  Freeport, 

Fowles,  Gowen  W.,  Medway, 
French,  Benjamin  F.,  Linneus, 

Goff,  Edmund,  Patten, 

Hilt,  Byron,  Presque  Isle, 

Ireland,  John  F.,  Presque  Isle, 
Lamson,  Iredell,  Presque  Isle, 
McGuire,  Seth,  Linneus, 

Morrison,  Edmund,  Linneus, 

Rogers,  Frank  M.,  Appleton, 

Swett,  Jas.  H.,  No.  8,  R.  5,  Aroos  Co. 
Tibbetts,  Caleb  B.,  Haynesville, 
Welch,  Thomas,  Houlton, 

Whitten,  Melvin  W.,  Dexter, 
Wyman,  Thomas  C.,  Phippsburg. 


Chesley,  Hiram  H.,  Patten, 

Crane,  Daniel,  Linneus, 

Estabrook,  Glazier,  Amity, 

Frederick,  Edward,  Bangor, 

Gerrish,  Theo.,No.  5,  R.  3,  Aroos. Co., 
Ham,  Mansfield,  Hodgdon, 

Ireland,  Goodwin  S.,  Presque  Isle, 
Knowlan,  Freeman  H.,  Masardis, 
Leighton,  Adriel,  Augusta, 

Miller,  George,  Bangor, 

Ring,  William  D.,  Freeport, 

Spooner,  William  E.,  Hodgdon, 
Tarbell,  Joseph  E.,  Merrill  Plantation, 
Walker,  Gustavus  F.,  Hodgdon, 
West,  Joseph,  Carmel, 

Winslow,  Joseph,  Oxbow  Plantation, 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


269 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Charles  W.  Jackins,  Bangor, 
and  Frank  C.  Williams,  Bangor,  battery  D,  5th  U.  S. ; Frank  A.  Johnson, 
Bangor,  battery  C,  1st  Mass. ; Andrew  C.  Munsey,  Bowdoin,  and  Moses  G. 
Rice,  Bangor,  quarterm’r  dept.;  John  Stockman,  Oldtown,  wagon  master; 
William  M.  Gilman,  No.  6,  R.  4;  Joseph  Macomber,  2d,  amb.  corps. 

Company  I. 

Captain,  Prentiss  M.  Fogler,  Hope. 

First  Lieutenant,  Arad  H.  Linscott,  Jefferson. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Elisha  Besse,  Jr.,  Oakfield  Plantation. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Hiram  Morse,  Warren, 


John  D.  Leach,  Camden, 

Emerson  Creighton,  Warren, 
Thomas  H.  Buck,  Biddeford, 


Andrews,  Aaron  M.,  Camden, 
Barron,  George  W.,  Warren, 
Blackington,  Rufus  R.,  Hope, 
Bradford,  William  B.,  Cushing, 
Briggs,  William  J.,  Union, 

Cleaves,  Daniel,  Biddeford, 

Davis,  Milton  H.,  Friendship, 
Elwell,  Ira  G.,  St.  George, 

Fish,  Benjamin  N.,  Union, 

Grant,  George  N.,  So.  Thomaston, 
Hall,  Lewis,  Warren, 

Hussey,  Wright  W. , Biddeford, 
Ingalls,  Joshua,  Bridgton, 

Jones,  Charles  A.,  Hope, 


Andrew  W.  Stover,  South  Thomaston. 
corporals. 

John  D.  Morse,  Thomaston, 

Daniel  W.  Keene,  Bremen. 
privates. 

Andrews,  Obed,  St.  George, 
Bickmore,  Eli,  Friendship, 

Bradford,  I.  John  L.,  Cushing, 
Bresnahan,  Timothy,  Ellsworth, 
Burding,  George  W.,  So.  Thomaston, 
Copeland,  Charles  A.,  Warren, 

Elwell,  Freeman,  St.  George, 

Farrand,  Austin,  Thomaston, 

Geyer,  Francis,  Friendship, 

Griffin,  Benjamin  N.,  Stockton, 
Howes,  Oliver,  Washington, 

Hyler,  Sylvanus,  Cushing, 

Jameson,  John  H.,  Cushing, 

Kelleran,  Eugene  B.,  Cushing, 


Lester,  Alexander  E.,  St.  John,  N.  B.,  Libby,  Findley  B.,  Camden, 


Lincoln,  Oliver  W.,  Washington, 
Peabody,  Jason  T.,  Union, 
Roosen,  Theodore,  Thomaston, 
Stevens,  Colver,  Biddeford, 
Thomas,  Oscar,  Lee, 

Torrey,  Charles  L.,  Bangor, 
Wescott,  James  B.,  Biddeford, 


Light,  Edward,  Washington, 

Monroe,  Horace,  Thomaston, 

Robinson,  Hance,  Cushing, 

Sterling,  George,  Thomaston, 

Stevens,  William  H.,  Bucksport, 

Thorndike,  Hosea  B.,  Camden, 

Weed,  John  E.,  South  Thomaston, 

Witham,  Charles  J.,  Washington. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Charles  E.  Foster,  Ded- 
ham, William  H.  Jones,  Augusta,  and  Alfred  Trask,  Augusta,  battery  I, 
5th  U.  S.  Sergeants:  Reuel  Thomas,  Thomaston,  special  orderly  for  Colo- 
nel; Andrew  J.  Tozier,  Plymouth,  regt’l  color-bearer.  Privates:  Thomas 
A.  Davis,  Warren,  Eben  F.  Manchester,  Windham,  and  Ambrose  Whitcomb, 
Thomaston,  teamsters  in  quarterm’r  dept.;  George  L.  Witham,  Southport, 
hosp.  dept.;  Thomas  Arnold,  Warren;  George  H.  Dow,  Warren. 

Company  K. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  H.  Nichols,  Brunswick,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  Fuller,  2d,  Brunswick. 


270 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


SERGEANTS. 

ist  Sergt.,  George  S.  Noyes,  Pownal,  Albert  E.  Fernald,  Winterport, 
Spencer  M.  Wyman,  Freeport,  Charles  Allen,  Brunswick. 

CORPORALS. 

Sylvester  S.  Richards,  Knox,  Vinal  E.  Wall,  Rockland, 

Edwin  B.  Foy,  Brunswick,  Thomas  B.  McLain,  Brunswick, 

Charles  M.  Chase,  Freeport,  George  A.  Ramsdell,  Brunswick, 

George  H.  Royal,  Topsham. 


PRIVATES. 

Ames,  John  H.,  Rockland,  Baker,  Daniel  S.,  Winterport, 

Bowden,  Levi  O.,  Winterport,  Buker,  James  J.,  Ellsworth, 

Buxton,  Willard  W.,  North  Yarmouth,  Chase,  Stephen  G.,  Winterport, 

Cobb,  George  W.,  Brunswick,  Colson,  Theophilus,  Winterport, 

Courson,  David  H.,  Harpswell,  Cross,  Frederick  H.,  Rockland, 

Fenderson,  Lewis,  Winterport,  Fickett,  Amasa  W. , Brewer, 

Field,  Ira  M.,  Freeport,  Freethy,  John  G.,  Brooklin, 

Grant,  Enoch  T.,  Freeport,  Gray,  Samuel  F.,  Ellsworth, 

Keating,  Edwin,  Appleton,  Lane,  Clement  W.,  Winterport, 

Libby,  Samuel  B.,  Durham,  Linnekin,  John  F.,  Appleton, 

McLain,  Jacob,  Damariscotta,  Merrill,  James  R.,  Auburn, 

Merrill,  William  F.,  Freeport,  Messer,  Thomas  G.,  Damariscotta, 

Morse,  Winfield  S.,  North  Yarmouth,  Newell,  Enoch  F.,  Brunswick, 
Newton,  William  F.,  Harpswell,  Pennell,  William  B.,  Harpswell, 

Reed,  Herbert  M.,  Pownal,  Rhodes,  Charles,  Rockland, 

Ring,  Benjamin  T.,  North  Yarmouth,  Smith,  Andrew  H.,  Denmark, 
Southard,  Joel,  Harpswell,  Thorn,  John  F.,  Brunswick, 

Toothaker,  George  A.,  Brunswick,  Town,  Alfred  M.,  Brunswick, 

Tyler,  Irving,  Durham,  Walker,  Orrin,  Stoneham, 

Ward,  William,  Jr.,  Orono,  Wentworth,  William  A.,  Hope, 

Whitney,  William  H.,  Brunswick,  Worthing,  William  A.,  Harpswell. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  George  W.  Carlton,  Lew- 
iston, and  Samuel  A.  Littlefield,  Winterport,  medical  dept.;  Joseph  Tyler, 
Durham,  regimental  bugler;  Erastus  C.  Anderson,  Rockland,  cattle  guard; 
Stephen  Littlefield,  Winterport,  hosp.  cook. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

Company  A. 
sergeants. 

James  H.  Harrington,  w’d,  face.  George  W.  Reynolds,  w’d,  hip  and  leg. 

corporals. 

Charles  H.  Reed,  wounded,  wrist.  David  J.  Lewis,  wounded,  head. 
Charles  E.  Avery,  wounded,  arm.  Joseph  D.  Simpson,  killed. 

Laforrest  P.  True,  wounded,  arms.  John  Reed,  Jr.,  killed. 

privates. 

Grindle,  Joseph,  wounded,  hand.  Hill,  William  E.,  wounded,  arm. 
Lore,  Charles,  wounded,  arm.  Norton,  Hiram,  wounded,  head. 

Rankins,  William,  wounded,  arm.  Surry,  Joseph  L.,  wounded,  leg. 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


271 


Sylvester,  Ira  R.,  wounded,  side.  Taylor,  Alfred,  wounded,  hand, 

True,  Franklin,  wounded,  arm.  Willey,  William  E.,  wounded,  head. 

Company  B. 
privates. 

Leach,  George  W.,  wounded  and  prisoner;  died  Dec.  i,  1863,  in  prison. 
Morrill,  Edwin,  wounded,  leg.  Sanders,  Henry  C.,  wounded,  hand. 

Company  C. 

Captain  Charles  W.  Billings,  mortally  wounded;  died  July  15,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenant  James  H.  Stan  wood,  wounded,  leg. 

First  Sergeant  Isaac  W.  Estes,  mortally  wounded;  died  July  14,  1863. 
Sergeant  Charles  A.  Knapp,  wounded,  arm. 

Corporal  Vincent  W.  Pinhorn,  wounded,  hip. 

PRIVATES. 

Beadle, Charles  M., mortally  w’d;  died,  Davis,  Moses,  mortally  wounded;  died 
Aug.  6,  1863.  July  3,  1863. 

Fogg,  Elliott,  L.,  killed.  Heald,  Benjamin  F.,  wounded,  hand. 

Heald,  Llewellyn  B.,  wounded,  leg.  Hodgdon,  Josiah  S.,  wounded,  arm. 
Monk,  Decatur,  w’d,  arm  broken.  O’Connell,  John,  wounded,  head. 

Powers,  Charles  P.,  wounded,  side.  Small,  Alva  B.,  mortally  w’d;  died 

Stevens,  Oliver  L.,  mortally  w’d;  died  A-Ug-  28' 1863, 

July  11,  1863.  Thomas,  Moses  S.,  wounded,  leg. 

Tobin,  John,  wounded,  arm  broken.  York,  George  H.,  wounded. 

Company  D. 

Captain  Joseph  B.  Fitch,  wounded,  thigh 
Sergeant  George  W.  Card,  wounded,  face. 

CORPORALS. 

Oliver  French,  wounded.  Andrew  D.  Mabury,  killed. 

Willard  Pinkham,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Ames,  Addison  M.,  wounded,  arm.  Crocker,  George  A.,  w’d,  shoulder. 
Curtis,  Merrill  G.,  wounded,  shoulder.  Prescott,  Stephen  A.,  killed. 

Ramsdell,  John  N.,  wounded,  face.  Swett,  Henry  A.,  wounded,  shoulder. 


Company  E. 
privates. 

Little,  Thomas  C.,  wounded,  head.  Mink,  Orchard  F.,  wounded,  leg. 

Company  F. 

Captain  Samuel  T.  Keene,  wounded,  side,  severely. 

Sergeant  James  R.  Martin,  wounded,  face,  severely. 

CORPORALS. 

Albion  Brown,  wounded,  hand,  slight.  John  W.  Morin,  w’d,  thigh,  slight. 
Franklin  B.  Ward,  w’d,  leg  amput’d.  Paschal  M.  Tripp,  killed. 

William  S.  Hodgdon,  killed.  John  Foss,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 


Brown,  Elisha  A.,  wounded,  head. 
Curtis,  Frank  B.,  killed. 

Fox,  Samuel  A.,  wounded,  head. 
Grant,  Benjamin  W.,  killed. 

Libby,  Benjamin  D.,  wounded,  hand. 


Clark,  Seth  W.,  killed. 

Foss,  Elfin  J.,  killed. 

French,  Edward  B.,  wounded,  side. 
Hall,  Charles  F.,  killed. 

Patten,  David,  wounded,  arm  and  side. 


272 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Wentworth,  John,  killed.  White,  Sylvanus  R.,  wounded,  hand. 

Whitman,  Ezekiel,  w’d,  shoulder.  Wyer,  Oscar,  killed. 

Young,  Thomas  J.,  wounded,  arm. 

Company  G. 

Second  Lieutenant  Warren  L.  Kendall,  killed. 

SERGEANTS. 

AbnerS.  Hiscock,  w’d,  arm  amput’d.  William  S.  Jordan,  killed. 

CORPORALS. 

Cyrus  Osborn,  wounded,  arm.  Melville  C.  Day,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Barnes,  Moody  D.,  w’d,  arm.  Borneman,  Luther  C.,  wounded,  face. 

Cunningham,  Albert,  wounded,  arm.  Cushman,  Llewellyn,  wounded,  arm. 
Erskine,  James  H.,  wounded,  side.  Herscomb,  Andrew,  wounded,  neck. 
Knight,  James  A.,  killed.  Kennedy,  John  M.,  wounded,  thigh. 

Smith,  John  T.,  prisoner,  w’d,  slight.  Sweeney,  Eugene,  prisoner. 

Tibbetts,  Jotham  D.,  prisoner. 

Company  H. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  W.  Steele,  killed. 

Sergeant  Isaac  N.  Lathrop,  wounded;  died  July  3,  1863. 

Sergeant  George  W.  Buck,  promoted  from  Private  on  field,  killed. 

Corporal  John  M.  Libby,  wounded,  lost  two  fingers. 

PRIVATES. 

Adams,  Aaron,  killed.  Chesley,  Hiram  H.,  wounded,  neck. 

Clifford,  Benjamin  F.,  wounded,  face.  French,  Benjamin  F.,  wounded,  leg. 
Ham,  Mansfield,  wounded,  side.  Hilt,  Byron,  wounded,  shoulder. 
Ireland,  Goodwin  S.,  killed.  Lamson,  Iredell,  killed. 

Morrison,  Edmund,  wounded,  side.  Walker,  Gustavus  F.,  wounded,  knee. 
West,  Joseph,  wounded,  arm. 

Company  I. 

First  Lieutenant  Arad  H.  Linscott,  wounded;  died  July  27,  1863. 

SERGEANTS. 

Reuel  Thomas,  wounded,  shoulder.  Andrew  W.  Stover,  wounded,  leg. 

PRIVATES. 

Fish,  Benjamin  N.,  wounded,  head.  Lester,  Alexander  E.,  killed. 

Peabody,  Jason  T.,  w’d,  lost  finger.  Witham,  Charles  J.,  lost  finger. 

Company  K. 

First  Sergeant  George  S.  Noyes,  killed. 

Sergeant  Albert  E.  Fernald,  wounded,  hip. 

CORPORALS. 

Sylvester  S.  Richards,  wounded,  face.  George  A.  Ramsdell, wounded,  breast. 

PRIVATES. 

Buxton,  Willard  W.,  wounded;  died  Chase,  Stephen  G.,  killed. 

July  10,  1863. 

Cobb,  George  W.,  wounded,  neck.  Merrill,  James  R.,  killed. 

Merrill,  William  F.,  killed.  Newell,  Enoch  F.,  wounded,  hand. 

Reed,  Herbert  M.,  wounded,  thigh.  Rhodes,  Charles,  wounded,  neck. 
Ring,  Benjamin  T.,  wounded,  head.  Thorn,  John  F.,  wounded,  leg. 
Walker,  Orrin,  w’d;  died  at  Gettysb’g.  Wentworth,  William  A., wounded,  leg. 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


273 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

BT  AN  OFFICER  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 


This  regiment  was  recruited  from  different  parts  of  the 
state,  its  ten  companies  coming  from  at  least  as  many  counties. 
It  was  the  last  of  those  organized  under  the  call  for  three  hun- 
dred thousand  men  in  1862.  Almost  as  soon  as  enlisted  the 
men  were  hurried  into  camp  at  Portland,  and  on  the  29th  day 
of  August,  1862,  were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  for  three  years  or  during  the  war.  The  original  organ- 
ization was  as  follows : 


Co.  A. 

Co.  B. 

Co.  C. 

Co.  D, 

Co.  E. 

Co.  F. 


FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Adelbert  Ames,  Rockland. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain,  Brunswick. 
Major,  Charles  D.  Gilmore,  Bangor. 

Adjutant,  John  M.  Brown,  Portland. 

Quartermaster,  Moses  W.  Brown,  Brownville. 

Surgeon,  Nahum  P.  Munroe,  Belfast. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Nahum  A.  Hersom,  Sanford. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Siroella  A.  Bennett,  New  Portland. 
Chaplain,  Luther  P.  French,  Corinth. 

Sergeant-Major,  Weston  H.  Keene,  Bremen. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Howard  L.  Prince,  Cumberland. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Elisha  Besse,  Jr.,  Winthrop. 
Hospital  Steward,  Lewis  W.  Pendleton,  Gorham. 
Drum-Major,  Andrew  J.  Philbrick,  Palmyra. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Captain,  Isaac  S.  Bangs,  Waterville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Addison  W.  Lewis,  Waterville. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  W.  Billings,  Clinton. 

Captain,  Phineas  M.  Jeffards,  Foxcroft. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  Lyford,  Sebec. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Walter  G.  Morrill,  Williamsburg. 
Captain,  Isaac  H.  McDonald,  Buckfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  Frank  G.  Russell,  Rumford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Augustus  H.  Strickland,  Livermore. 
Captain,  Isaac  W.  Haskell,  Garland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edward  B.  Fifield,  Dexter. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Mattson  C.  Sanborn,  South  Berwick. 
Captain,  Atherton  W.  Clark,  Waldoboro. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  B.  Fitch,  Bristol. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  F.  Sumner,  Union. 

Captain,  Timothy  F.  Andrews,  Harmony. 

First  Lieutenant,  Hosea  Allen,  Wellington. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Edwin  Folsom,  Harmony. 


274  MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Ellis  Spear,  Wiscasset. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  F.  Land,  Edgecomb. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  J.  A.  Hoffses,  Jefferson. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  Henry  C.  Merriam,  Houlton. 

First  Lieutenant,  Daniel  Stimson,  Biddeford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  C.  Bailey,  Garland. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Lysander  Hill,  Thomaston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Samuel  T.  Keene,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Prentiss  M.  Fogler,  Hope. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Charles  L.  Strickland,  Bangor. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  H.  Nichols,  Brunswick. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  W.  Morrell,  Livermore. 

Excepting  the  Colonel  and  Major,  and  two  or  three  subor- 
dinate officers,  both  officers  and  men  were  substantially  without 
military  knowledge  or  experience.  The  exigencies  of  the  public 
service  allowed  barely  time  for  organization  and  enrolment  and 
the  furnishing  of  uniforms.  The  drilling  was  sufficient  only 
to  enable  the  companies  to  form  line  and  march  by  the  flank. 
Two  companies  only  were  armed ; but  one  dress  parade  was 
attempted,  and  that  was  attended  with  much  difficulty  and  many 
blunders.  The  regimental  line  first  formed  was  indeed  awkward, 
but  it  was  made  of  good  material  and  it  was  never  broken. 
Thus  scarcely  organized,  partially  armed,  substantially  undrilled 
and  uninstructed,  under  the  urgent  demands  of  the  government, 
it  was  rushed  by  rail  to  Boston  and  from  Boston  by  steamship 
to  Washington.  The  voyage  was  utilized  to  the  utmost  by 
Colonel  Ames  for  the  instruction  of  the  officers,  and  a good 
beginning;  was  made  in  learning;  the  duties  of  the  soldier. 
These  studies  and  exercises  were  continued  whenever  oppor- 
tunity offered  during  the  ensuing  season,  whether  in  camp  or 
campaign.  The  arming  of  the  regiment  was  completed  at 
Washington,  and  it  then  moved  directly  across  the  Potomac 
and  joined  the  Third  brigade  of  the  First  division  of  the  Fifth 
army  corps,  only  a few  days  before  the  movement  of  the  army 
in  the  Antietam  campaign.  It  was  a severe  trial  to  new  men, 
unacclimated,  unaccustomed  to  arms  and  the  equipments  of  a 
soldier,  unused  to  the  march  and  bivouac,  to  bear  the  full  burden 
in  a veteran  brigade,  of  a very  active  and  earnest  campaign. 
Only  a part  of  the  regiment  was  actively  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Antietam,  the  corps  being  mainly  in  reserve,  but  it  was 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


275 


engaged  and  under  musketry  fire  as  a regiment,  for  the  first 
time,  at  Shepherdstown  Ford,  three  days  after  the  battle  of 
Antietain.  It  suffered,  however,  but  slight  loss. 

After  Shepherdstown  Ford  it  was  held  in  that  vicinity  to 
guard  the  fords  of  the  Potomac.  The  situation  of  the  camp 
was  one  of  the  most  malarious  and  unhealthy  on  the  upper  Poto- 
mac, and  the  immediate  proximity  of  the  terrible  battlefield 
affected  the  streams  and  the  air  so  that  men  could  hardly  drink 
the  water  or  breathe  the  air.  The  time,  however,  was  utilized 
to  the  utmost  in  the  instruction  and  drilling  of  the  regiment. 
This  was,  in  some  respects,  the  most  trying  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  regiment.  The  houses  in  the  vicinity  were  used 
as  hospitals  and  were  filled  with  desperately  sick  men  lying  upon 
the  floor,  poorly  attended  and  not  supplied  with  proper  food. 
Many  died,  many  men  were  permanent^  disabled,  and  many 
others  were  sent  to  the  hospitals  who  afterwards  returned  to  the 
regiment.  More  than  300  men  were  left  behind  at  tills  place, 
or  in  other  hospitals,  when  the  regiment  moved. 

Marching  from  the  Potomac  to  the  Rappahannock,  the  reg- 
iment went  into  camp  at  Stoneman’s  Switch.  Quarters  for  the 
men  were  rudely  constructed,  better  than  any  they  previously 
occupied,  but  still  imperfect  and  uncomfortable.  The  men  had 
been  supplied  with  shelter  tents,  but  the  line  officers  had  no 
shelter  excepting  a "fly.”  With  these  and  a few  poles  supple- 
mented by  excavation  in  some  instances,  they  contrived  to  keep 
themselves  sheltered  from  the  rain.  As  far  as  possible  drilling 
and  instruction  were  continued. 

At  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  the  regiment,  being  in  the 
Centre  Grand  division,  crossed  the  Rappahannock  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  first  day  of  the  battle  under  artillery  fire,  and 
advanced  with  the  brigade  through  the  town  to  replace  the  lines 
which  had  vainly  attempted  to  reach  the  stone-wall  at  Marye’s 
Heights.  The  advance  was  made  under  heavy  fire  of  artillery 
and  musketry,  but  secured  a position  close  up  to  the  enemy’s 
lines,  where,  however,  nothing  could  be  effected  against  the 
enemy,  but  greatly  exposed  the  regiment  to  a deadly  fire  at  close 
range.  The  regiment  was  held  in  this  position  that  night  and 
during  the  next  da}r ; but  on  the  second  night  the  brigade  was 


276 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


drawn  back  into  the  town.  On  the  night  of  the  withdrawal  of 
the  army,  the  regiment  was  sent  again  to  the  extreme  front  as 
an  advanced  line,  where  it  remained  almost  alone  while  the 
army  recrossed  the  river,  and  at  2 o’clock  in  the  morning  it  was 
withdrawn,  the  rear  of  the  rear-guard  which  crossed  the  last 
pontoon  bridge  left  in  place.  On  the  next  day  it  returned  to 
its  old  camp,  and  remained  here  until  April  with  no  interrup- 
tion except  that  it  shared  in  the  fruitless  and  miserable  move- 
ment made  in  January,  designated  by  the  men  as  the  "mud 
march.”  The  men,  not  yet  acclimated,  were  still  suffering  from 
diseases  incident  to  camp  life,  and  a considerable  number  died 
during  the  winter. 

In  April  by  some  mis-doing  small-pox  virus  was  administered 
instead  of  vaccine  in  the  regiment,  and  it  was  detached  from  the 
brigade  and  removed  to  another  camp  where  it  remained  until 
the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  Though  still  in  quarantine,  the 
regiment,  at  the  request  of  Colonel  Chamberlain,  then  in  com- 
mand, was  permitted  to  take  part  in  the  battle  of  Chancellors- 
ville. The  Colonel  reinforced  his  request  for  such  permission 
by  the  suggestion  that  if  the  regiment  could  do  no  more  it  might 
"give  the  enemy  the  small-pox.”  It  was,  however,  assigned  to 
the  duty  of  guarding  the  telegraph  line  from  the  field  of  battle 
on  the  right  to  that  on  the  left,  at  Fredericksburg.  After  the 
battle  it  was  the  last  to  recross  the  river,  and  in  a drenching 
rain  returned  to  its  camp.  In  May,  1863,  Ames  was  commis- 
sioned as  Brigadier  General,  and  Chamberlain  was  promoted  to 
be  Colonel. 

During  the  movements  which  culminated  in  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg  it  shared  in  the  engagement  at  Middleburg,  June 
21st,  the  Third  brigade  having  been  sent  to  the  support  of  the 
cavalry.  It  charged  and  drove  the  enemy  from  their  positions 
behind  stone-walls,  forcing  them  back  beyond  Goose  Creek. 

After  some  hard  marching,  which  occupied  the  greater  part 
of  the  night  of  the  1st  of  July,  the  regiment  was  upon  the  field 
of  Gettysburg,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day  it  moved 
with  the  brigade  under  artillery  fire  to  the  left  and  was  advanc- 
ing into  the  Wheat  fie  Id  when  it  was  turned  sharply  to  the  left 
and  rear  and  moved  back  in  rear  of  Little  Round  Top.  The 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


277 


main  part  of  the  brigade  occupied  the  crest  of  Little  Round  Top 
towards  the  left,  and  the  Twentieth  being  on  the  extreme  left 
was  refused  and  faced  towards  Big  Round  Top.  It  occupied 
the  southern  and  eastern  slope  of  the  hill  directly  fronting  a 
Talley  or  level  space  which  lay  between  the  two  Tops.  The 
slopes  and  the  valley  were  covered  with  a forest  of  oak  trees, 
for  the  greater  part  free  from  underbrush,  and  open.  The 
ground  of  the  slopes  and  in  the  valley  was  strewn  with  large 
bowlders.  There  was  no  protection  for  our  men,  and  no  time 
to  throw  up  earthworks,  even  if  that  had  been  practicable  in  the 
rocky  soil.  Company  B,  under  Captain  Morrill,  was  promptly 
thrown  forward  as  skirmishers.  Almost  immediately  thereafter 
the  enemy  appeared  coming  down  the  slope  of  Big  Round  Top, 
and  they  seemed  to  be  overlapping  our  left.  By  the  direction 
of  Colonel  Chamberlain,  Captain  Spear,  who  was  then  acting 
as  Major,  bent  back  the  left  companies  slightly,  for  the  better 
protection  of  that  flank.  The  advanced  enemy  at  once  opened 
fire,  pressing  more  heavily  on  the  centre  and  left.  Many  of 
them  took  position  behind  the  bowlders  which  afforded  them 
protection,  and  were  firing  at  short  range.  The  firing  was  very 
heavy  and  our  men  were  rapidly  falling,  but  a vigorous  and 
well-directed  fire  was  kept  up  in  return.  The  line  on  the  left 
gave  back  somewhat  at  times,  closing  up  to  fill  the  gaps.  The 
fire  from  the  enemy  continued  for  some  time,  and  then  slightly 
slackened,  and  the  contest  was  decided  by  a charge  of  the  Twen- 
tieth, down  the  rocky  slope.  It  was  done  so  suddenly  that 
many  of  the  Confederates,  sheltered  behind  the  bowlders  in 
advance  of  their  line,  were  at  once  run  over  and  captured,  and 
the  shock  of  the  charge  falling  directly  upon  their  line  broke 
it  instantly.  Then  occurred  one  of  those  accidents  such  as  often 
determine  the  result  of  a battle.  Morrill’s  company  (B) , which 
had  been  advanced  as  skirmishers,  as  before  related,  not  having- 
effected  a junction  on  its  right,  was  cut  off,  and  had  moved 
around  and  occupied  a stone-wall  in  the  rear  of  the  position 
taken  up  by  the  enemy,  and  when  the  Confederates  were  driven 
back  by  the  charge  towards  tins  Avail  Morrill’s  company  fired 
a volley  into  the  rear  ; this  threw  them  into  confusion,  and  there 
being  nothing  on  their  right,  about  300  of  them  surrendered  and 


278 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


others  escaped  in  disorder  in  the  woods.  The  Twentieth  sus- 
tained heavy  loss,  about  forty  per  cent  of  the  entire  number 
of  about  350. 

The  regiment  with  which  it  had  been  engaged  was  the  15th 
Ala.,  commanded  by  Colonel  Oates,  which,  as  he  reported,  went 
into  battle  with  640  muskets.  After  the  repulse  of  the  enemy 
at  Little  Round  Top,  Chamberlain  was  directed  to  advance  and 
occupy  Big  Round  Top,  and  in  accordance  with  these  orders  he 
moved  with  the  Twentieth  Maine  alone,  climbing  the  steep  and 
rocky  side  of  this  high  hill  and  took  position  on  the  crest.  It 
was  then  about  dark.  Advancing  his  skirmishers  he  encoun- 
tered a line  of  skirmishers  of  the  enemy  and  captured  some 
thirty-five  of  them.  He  occupied  the  crest  without  support  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  night,  but  towards  morning  the  line  was 
completed  between  his  right  and  the  left  of  the  line  on  Little 
Round  Top.  After  daylight  of  the  3d  the  Twentieth  was 
relieved  and  returned  to  its  brigade.  During  the  battle  on 
the  third  day  the  brigade  lay  exposed  only  to  artillery  fire  on  the 
left  of  the  point  assailed  by  Pickett.  The  regiment  advanced 
on  the  4th  to  the  Emmitsburg  road,  and  on  the  morning  of 
the  5th  moved  with  the  brigade  and  corps  in  the  pursuit  of  the 
enemy.  On  the  10th  of  July  it  was  engaged  with  the  enemy 
on  the  Sharpsburg  Pike,  losing  ten  men.  After  the  enemy  had 
fallen  back  behind  the  Potomac  the  regiment  had  some  hard 
marching,  across  the  South  Mountain,  and  after  a brief  bivouac 
on  the  north  bank  of  the  Potomac,  crossed  and  took  part  in  the 
further  movement  through  Manassas  Gap.  It  was  present  but 
not  actively  engaged  in  the  skirmish  at  Wapping  Heights. 

In  August  the  regiment  was  encamped  at  Beverly  Ford  ; 
Colonel  Chamberlain,  having  been  assigned  to  the  command  of 
the  brigade,  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  regiment  by 
Spear,  who  had  in  the  meantime  been  commissioned  as  Major. 
No  other  field  officers  being  present,  Clark  of  company  E was 
detailed  as  acting  field  officer.  The  regiment  shared  in  the 
movement  between  Culpeper  Court  House  and  Centreville  in 
the  fall  of  1863,  but  was  not  actively  engaged  with  the  enemy 
until  the  7th  day  of  November,  when  it  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  Rappahannock  Station,  losing,  however,  but  few  men.  It 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


279 


was  subsequently  in  the  affair  at  Mine  Run  in  the  latter  part  of 
November ; and  with  other  regiments  covered  the  corps  front 
on  the  picket  line  in  front  of  the  enemy’s  works,  holding  that 
ground  during  the  entire  time  in  which  the  corps  was  at  Mine 
Run.  The  regiment  suffered  extremely  from  the  severe  cold, 
but  had  very  slight  loss  in  wounded  and  none  killed.  Returning 
from  Mine  Run  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  duty  during 
the  winter  of  ’63-’64  of  guarding  the  railroad  bridge  at  Rappa- 
hannock Station,  and  occupied  that  position  until  the  1st  day 
of  May,  1864.  At  this  camp  the  men  built  comfortable  and 
convenient  quarters  of  slabs,  split  and  hewed  ; substantial  com- 
pany kitchens  were  established  and  regular  camp  rations  were 
issued.  The  location  was  healthy,  and  not  a man  was  lost  from 
the  regiment  during  the  whole  winter.  The  men  were  exercised 
by  drilling  as  often  as  the  weather  permitted.  The  senior  Cap- 
tain, Clark,  being  absent  on  detached  services,  Captain  Keene 
was  detailed  as  acting  Field  officer. 

On  the  1st  day  of  May,  1864,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Spear,  the  regiment  left  this  camp,  in  which  the  officers  and  men 
had  passed  a pleasant  winter,  and  bivouacked  near  Ingalls’  Sta- 
tion, and  on  the  3d  moved  and  went  into  bivouac  near  Culpeper. 
At  midnight  moved  again,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  crossed 
the  Rapidan  at  Germanna  Ford,  and  marched  out  on  the  Plank 
road  to  the  Orange  Court  House  road,  and  went  into  line  of 
battle  on  the  left  of  that  road. 

In  the  morning  it  was  reported  that  the  enemy  were  advanc- 
ing, and  some  slight  intrenchments  were  made,  and  the  trees 
were  cut  down  in  front  of  the  line.  The  enemy  not  attacking 
and  an  advance  being  ordered,  the  regiment  moved  with  the 
brigade,  in  the  second  line,  with  its  right  on  road.  The  advance 
was  at  first  through  a thick  wood,  but,  emerging  from  that  into 
an  open  field,  the  lines  met  a sharp  fire  from  the  enemy,  posted 
in  the  edge  of  the  wood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  field.  The 
charge  across  this  field  was  on  the  double-quick.  The  two  lines 
were  somewhat  disordered  by  a ditch  about  midway  of  the  field, 
but  the  enemy  were  driven  through  the  wood  into  a second 
opening.  Here  it  became  apparent  that  the  brigade  had  advanced 
more  rapidly  than  the  line  on  the  right  of  the  road,  and  firing 


280 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


was  heard  on  the  right  and  rear.  This  checked  the  advance. 
The  Twentieth  moved  to  the  front  and  one  company  was  deployed 
on  the  right,  across  the  road.  Its  captain  reported  that  that 
flank  was  unprotected,  and  that  skirmishers  of  the  enemy  were 
crossing  the  road  in  our  rear. 

The  83d  Penn.,  which  had  been  in  front  of  the  Twentieth, 
was  re-formed  in  the  rear,  and  wheeled  to  face  to  the  right, 
but  in  a few  minutes  the  enemy  concentrated  upon  the  left  of 
the  brigade  and  broke  it,  leaving  both  flanks  of  the  Twentieth 
unprotected.  The  regiment  fell  back  in  good  order  to  the  orig- 
inal works,  bringing  off  thirty-five  prisoners,  with  the  loss  of 
Captain  Morrill  of  B,  severely,  and  three  other  officers,  wounded, 
ten  men  killed  and  fifty-eight  wounded,  and  sixteen  missing. 
On  the  6th  the  regiment  was  engaged  with  the  enemy  and  lost 
two  men  killed  and  ten  wounded.  On  the  7th  the  regiment  with 
three  others  advanced  to  push  the  enemy  back  as  far  as  possible 
and  ascertain  their  position  and  force.  The  skirmishers  of  the 
enemy  were  driven  in  and  through  the  woods  to  a line  of  breast- 
works from  which  the  enemy  opened  with  artillery  and  musketry. 
One  officer,  Lieutenant  Sherwood,  was  killed  here,  and  Lieuten- 
ant Lane  mortally  wounded  ; and  a considerable  number  of  men 
killed  or  wounded.  The  regiment  followed  the  corps  to  Spot- 
sylvania Court  House,  moving  early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th, 
and  at  6 p.  m.  advanced,  supporting  General  Crawford’s  line. 
It  was  very  nearly  dusk  when  the  regiment  was,  with  the  other 
detachments  of  the  brigade,  charged  by  the  enemy,  who,  after 
a sharp  hand-to-hand  fight,  were  repulsed.  The  regiment  lost 
one  officer  (Captain  Morrell  of  A)  killed  and  two  wounded,  five 
men  killed,  thirteen  wounded  and  two  missing.  About  100  of 
the  enemy  were  captured,  including  four  commissioned  officers. 

The  regiment  was  under  fire  on  the  10th  and  11th,  but  not 
actively  engaged,  and  lost  one  killed  and  two  wounded.  During 
the  12th  and  13th  it  was  occupied  in  intrenching,  and  on  the 
night  of  the  13th  marched  all  night  to  the  left  and  went  into 
position  near  Spotsylvania  Court  House,  where  it  remained  until 
the  20th  of  May,  constantly  under  fire. 

On  the  21st  of  May  the  brigade  was  in  the  advance  in  fol- 
lowing the  enemy  in  their  retreat.  Encountering  a heavy  rear 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


281 


guard  with  cavalry  and  artillery,  which  checked  the  advance 
of  the  corps,  Colonel  Chamberlain,  who  had  recently  returned 
to  the  regiment  for  duty,  taking  with  him  the  Twentieth  and  two 
other  regiments,  made  a skillful  movement  to  cut  them  off  and 
capture  their  artillery.  The  demonstration  made  in  crossing  a 
deep  stream  gave  the  enemy  warning,  and  they  galloped  their 
guns  away  and  were  routed  from  their  advantageous  position, 
with  the  loss  of  several  as  prisoners. 

The  regiment  crossed  the  North  Anna  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  23d  and  took  an  important  part  in  the  brilliant  actions  on 
that  side  of  the  river,  but  without  severe  loss. 

The  regiment  marched  to  the  vicinity  of  Mangohick  Church 
on  the  27th  and  crossed  the  Pamunkey  on  the  day  following. 
It  was  engaged  in  the  minor  actions  during  the  last  of  May 
and  bore  an  important  part  in  the  severe  engagement  at  Bethesda 
Church  on  the  2d  and  3d  of  June,  and  lost  during  that  time 
about  thirty  men.  Again  under  command  of  Major  Spear,  it 
lay  on  the  left  of  the  army  at  Chickahominy  on  picket  until  the 
12th  of  June,  when  it  crossed  the  Chickahominy  and  moved 
towards  the  James,  and  thence  to  Petersburg.  On  the  18th  it 
was  in  the  reserve  and  suffered  but  slight  loss.  Here  Colonel 
Chamberlain,  who  had  some  time  before  been  assigned  to  com- 
mand another  veteran  brigade  of  the  division,  was  severely 
wounded  in  a desperate  charge,  and  was  promoted  to  be  Briga- 
dier-General by  General  Grant,  on  the  field.  On  the  21st  the 
regiment  moved  across  to  the  left  and  after  dark  went  into 
position  and  threw  up  earthworks  in  front  of  the  enemy  nearer 
the  Jerusalem  Plank  road,  where  it  remained  until  the  12th  day 
of  August.  It  lost  here  one  officer  (Maj.  Samuel  T.  Keene)  and 
five  men  killed,  and  seven  men  wounded. 

The  regiment  subsequently,  in  August,  took  part  in  the 
capture  of  the  Weldon  Railroad  and  was  actively  engaged  dur- 
ing the  three  days’  fight  at  that  point.  It  lay  upon  the  Weldon 
Railroad  until  the  30th  of  September,  receiving  here  one  hun- 
dred recruits.  On  the  30th  of  September  it  moved  with  the 
division  and  took  part  in  the  battle  at  Peebles’  Farm.  The 
regiment  was  upon  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  in  the  forma- 
tion for  the  charge,  but  later  was  brought  to  the  centre  and 


282 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


formed  upon  the  skirmish  line  and  charged  on  that  line  directly 
towards  the  artillery  in  an  earthwork  in  the  centre  of  the  field, 
from  which  a line  of  rifle-pits  extended  to  the  right  and  left. 
The  charge  was  led  by  Major  Spear.  Captain  Prince,  then  serv- 
ing on  the  brigade  staff,  had  rejoined  his  comrades  of  the  regi- 
ment, in  this  perilous  work,  and  was  the  first  man  in  the  fort. 
The  entire  line  was  captured  and  a considerable  number  of  pris- 
oners, with  one  piece  of  artillery,  taken  by  Captain  Fernald  and 
a small  squad  of  his  company.  General  Warren  telegraphed 
General  Meade,  reporting  the  charge  as  " one  of  the  boldest  I 
ever  saw.”  Here  the  command  devolved  upon  Captain  Clark, 
Major  Spear  succeeding  to  the  command  of  the  brigade.  On  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  day  a division  of  the  Ninth  corps  advanced 
on  the  left  to  push  the  enemy  further,  and  the  regiment,  with 
the  brigade,  advanced  to  protect  the  right  flank  of  that  division. 
That  division  giving  way,  the  brigade  became  severely  engaged 
with  the  enemy,  but  held  its  position  until  dark.  The  regiment 
lost  in  this  battle  one  officer  (Capt.  Weston  H.  Keene),  and 
five  men  killed,  and  three  officers  and  forty-nine  men  wounded, 
nearly  forty  per  cent  of  those  engaged.  The  regiment  occupied 
intrenchments  made  at  this  point  until  the  affair  at  Hatcher’s 
Run,  or  Boydton  Road,  on  the  27th  of  October. 

It  was  engaged  in  December  in  the  raid  upon  the  Weldon 
Railroad  and  assisted  in  destroying  that  road  down  to  near 
Hicksford  (a).  It  was  engaged  in  the  action  of  Hatcher’s 
Run,  February  6th,  with  slight  loss.  Returning  it  remained  in 
camp  until  the  29th  day  of  March,  when  it  took  part  in  the 
final  movement  against  Richmond.  It  was  engaged  at  the 
Quaker  Road  on  the  29th  supporting  Chamberlain,  whose  brig- 
ade drove  the  enemy  from  that  road.  It  was  also  engaged  on 
the  31st  in  the  battle  at  Gravelly  Run  and  on  the  1st  day  of 
April,  1865,  at  the  battle  of  Five  Forks,  where  it  charged  the 
enemy’s  works  (b) . It  was  with  its  corps  in  the  movement 
within  the  enemy’s  right,  at  Petersburg,  and  in  the  pursuit  to 

(a)  The  aggregate  casualties  during  1864  are  stated  to  have  been  254.  January  26, 
1865,  it  had  275  muskets,  and  in  addition  an  unassigned  company.  Losses  in  1805  were 
81.  Combining  the  two  years  we  find : Killed,  5 officers,  41  men;  wounded,  1G  offi- 
cers, 246  men ; missing,  27  men.  Aggregate,  335.— [Eds.] 

(b)  Capturing  a battle-flag  and  many  prisoners. — [Eds.] 


TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


283 


Appomattox  Court  House,  but  was  not  actively  engaged  until 
it  reached  the  Court  House. 

The  closing  scene  at  Appomattox  Court  House  was  a tit  end 
of  the  last  campaign  and  indeed  of  the  war.  The  regiment  was 
fortunate  in  sharing  in  the  closing  act,  as  it  had  shared  in  the 
previous  three  years,  the  story  of  which  has  been  so  briefly  and 
imperfectly  told.  How  the  Fifth  corps  and  the  cavalry,  under 
Sheridan,  broke  in  the  extreme  right  of  the  enemy  and  com- 
pelled the  thinning  of  their  lines  in  the  formidable  works,  which 
had  so  long  confronted  the  army  of  the  Potomac  ; how,  on  the 
morning  of  the  2d  of  April,  corps  after  corps  tore  their  way 
through  musketry  and  artillery  fire,  through  abatis  and  over 
ditches  and  breastworks,  and  then  pushed  on  after  the  retreating 
Confederates,  all  the  world  knows.  It  fell  to  the  lot  of  the 
Twentieth  to  be  in  that  part  which  followed  Sheridan  and  the 
cavalry,  endeavoring  to  pass  to  the  left  of  their  army  and  block 
its  way.  In  this  earnest  pursuit  the  last  day’s  march  was  occu- 
pied from  five  in  the  morning  until  midnight ; indeed,  until  it 
seemed  that  man  could  march  no  longer ; only  the  sound  of 
Sheridan’s  cannon  in  front  kept  them  in  motion.  The  writer 
saw  men  fall  out  as  they  marched,  turning  aside  and  falling  as 
they  turned  from  sheer  exhaustion ; and  finally,  on  the  last 
halt,  they  lay  down  by  the  roadside,  and  could  not  be  moved. 
But  the  next  morning  the  stragglers  were  up,  and  the  corps 
moved  out  at  5 o’clock,  to  the  sound  of  battle  in  front. 

Gray  April  clouds  hid  the  morning  sun  as  the  columns 
emerged  from  the  woods  into  the  open  country  about  the 
unknown  little  Court  House  village,  destined  that  day  to 
become  historic.  The  open  field,  bordered  by  woods,  stretched 
far  out  to  right  and  left.  To  the  front,  a half  mile  away,  was 
a low  hill,  skirted  by  trees,  which  hid  the  village.  At  the  left, 
along  this  skirt,  near  its  edge,  a line  of  white  puffs  showed 
where  the  cavalry  were  stubbornly  resisting  the  pressure  of 
Lee’s  infantry.  As  the  Fifth  corps  swung  into  line  of  battle, 
with  wings  bent  forward,  and  the  color-bearers  shook  out  the 
battle-flags,  the  sun  was  breaking  through  the  clouds  over  the 
eastern  woods. 

Behind,  and  moving  to  the  left  of  the  Fifth  corps,  was  the 
Twenty-fourth,  with  well-closed  columns,  in  which  were  two 


284 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


brigades  of  colored  troops,  assigned  by  some  whim  of  justice, 
to  block  the  last  line  of  retreat  of  the  fleeing  Confederates. 

Before  the  concave  line  of  infantry,  visible  from  flank  to 
flank,  sprang  out  the  skirmishers,  dotting  the  greensward. 
Behind,  the  artillery  was  moving  up.  The  lines  of  infantry  in 
order  of  battle,  a long  array  of  bright  muskets  spaced  with 
colors,  on  an  open  field,  more  than  twenty  thousand  men  in 
sight,  formed  an  unusual  and  inspiring  spectacle  even  to  veter- 
ans. But  in  front  of  this,  and  between  it  and  the  enemy, 
appeared  a moving  panorama  still  more  picturesque.  A body 
of  cavalry,  apparently  relieved  by  the  infantry  on  the  left,  came 
galloping  across  the  field  towards  the  right.  In  front,  apart 
from  the  rest,  conspicuous,  clear  against  the  sky  as  if  in  silhou- 
ette, on  a black  horse,  in  swift  gallop,  rode  Sheridan.  A more 
striking  military  figure  cannot  be  conceived.  It  was  the  same 
long,  powerful  stride  of  the  black  horse  that  carried  victory  to 
Cedar  Creek.  Sheridan,  alert,  eager,  his  bronzed  face  set  as 
if  carved  from  oak,  seemed  in  shape  and  movement  the  very 
embodiment  of  fighting  energy.  Next  behind  him  spurred  on 
his  color-bearer,  with  the  broad  and  swallow-tailed  flag  marked 
with  crossed  swords,  and  standing  out  and  quivering  in  the 
rapid  motion,  a flag  borne  in  many  battles,  and  never  backward. 

Behind  this,  in  quick  succession,  followed  staff  and  orderlies 
and  a hurrying  body  of  horsemen.  Over  all  this  and  over  the 
infantry  lines  shrieked  the  shells  of  the  enemy,  bursting  in  the 
air,  with  white  puffs,  that  one  after  another  drifted  and  disap- 
peared ; or,  plowing  the  ground,  rebounded  in  the  air.  Sher- 
idan, with  this  staff  and  escort  and  their  flutter  of  flags,  passed 
the  front,  and  the  infantry  moved  on,  silent  and  steady,  for 
what  they  thought  the  final  grapple  with  the  enemy. 

The  writer  was  riding  with  the  skirmish  line,  and  as  it 
entered  the  curtain  of  trees,  heard  a shout  on  the  left,  and  spur- 
ring in  that  direction  saw  emerging  from  woods  a mounted  officer 
in  Confederate  uniform,  waving  a white  flag.  No  tidings  had 
reached  us  of  the  previous  correspondence  between  Grant  and 
Lee  ; but  even  the  men  on  the  skirmish  line  had  at  once  under- 
stood the  meaning  of  the  white  flag,  and  all  its  consequences, 
and  were  wildly  shouting,  " Lee  surrenders  ! Lee  surrenders  ! ” 


TWENTIETH  REGLUEXT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


285 


Indeed,  an  angel  appearing  from  heaven,  shining  as  the  sun, 
could  have  meant  no  more  than  that  mounted  officer  with  his 
bit  of  white  cloth.  It  signalled  the  decree  of  the  Almighty. 
It  meant  the  final  and  complete  triumph  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  after  four  years  of  severe  struggle,  mixed  often  with 
bitter  defeat.  It  meant  the  vindication  and  re-establishment 
of  the  government,  the  end  of  slavery,  honor  instead  of 
shame,  and  prosperity  and  peace  instead  of  peril  and  disaster. 
For  this  a thousand  battles  had  been  fought,  and  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  men  had  perished.  No  one  of  us  doubted 
that  it  was  the  close  of  the  war,  and  for  us  it  meant  home  and 
friends  restored. 

The  officer  with  the  flag  turned  and  rode  to  the  right,  fol- 
lowed by  shouts.  With  quite  different  feelings  the  line  moved 
on  through  the  woods  and  into  the  open  country  in  which  stood 
the  straggling  village. 

We  lay  there  under  orders  to  be  "ready  to  make  or  receive 
an  attack”  the  remainder  of  that  day  and  the  10th,  and  on  the 
11th  the  regiment,  with  the  remainder  of  the  brigade,  under 
General  Chamberlain’s  orders,  relieved  General  Gibbon’s  corps 
from  the  formalities  in  receiving  the  surrender  of  the  Confed- 
erate arms  and  colors,  so  that  the  Twentieth  had  its  share  in  the 
last  part  of  the  closing  scene,  and  when  this  was  done,  saw  the 
Confederate  troops,  a forlorn  array,  without  arms  or  colors  or 
military  music,  in  straggling  columns,  march  off  towards  their 
distant  homes. 

After  this  the  regiment  was  stationed  near  the  battlefield  of 
Five  Forks  for  some  weeks,  and  returned  to  Washington  and 
went  into  camp  on  the  Columbia  Pike,  on  the  8th  day  of  May, 
1865.  Here  the  original  members  of  the  regiment  were  sent 
to  Portland  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Morrill  and  mustered  out, 
leaving  only  the  recruits  and  men  assigned  subsequently  to  the 
original  organization.  In  place  of  the  men  mustered  out,  those 
remaining  of  the  Sixteenth  Maine  and  the  battalion  of  the  First 
Maine  Sharpshooters  were  consolidated  with  the  Twentieth, 
and  under  this  organization  the  regiment,  under  Colonel  Spear, 
returned  to  Portland  and  was  mustered  out  on  the  16th  day  of 
July,  1865. 


286 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


THE  LAST  ACT. 

The  distinguished  honor  fell  to  a Maine  officer,  Brigadier- 
General  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain,  to  be  selected  to  command  the 
detachment  of  Union  troops,  as  representing  the  whole,  to  be 
marshalled  in  the  military  function  of  receiving,  in  a proper 
parade,  the  surrender  of  their  arms  and  colors  from  the  hands 
of  the  Confederates  who  had  carried  them. 

[This  selection  of  Chamberlain  by  Generals  Gibbon  and  Griffin  could 
not  have  been  accidental.  The  Rebellion  Records  pertaining  to  that  cam- 
paign, serial  numbers  95,  97,  show  complimentary  mentions  of  his  name,  and 
on  page  730  of  the  latter  volume  is  a recommendation  by  General  Griffin  for 
Chamberlain’s  promotion,  “as  a reward  for  his  conspicuous  gallantry  and 
meritorious  services  during  this  campaign,  in  the  action  on  the  Quaker 
Road,  * * * in  the  battle  of  Five  Forks,  * * * and  in  the  culminating 
battle  at  Appomattox  Court  House.  In  this  last  action,  April  9th,  his  brig- 
ade had  the  advance  and  was  driving  the  enemy  rapidly  before  it  when  the 
announcement  of  the  surrender  of  Lee  was  made.’’ — Communication,  April 
13.  1865.]; 

General  Chamberlain  called  for  his  old  brigade  for  this 
special  duty, — the  Third  brigade,  First  division,  Fifth  corps, 
composed  of  the  Twentieth  Maine,  First  Maine  Sharpshooters, 
32d  Mass.,  1st  and  16th  Mich.,  83d,  91st,  118th,  and  155th 
Penn,  regiments.  This  body  was  augmented  during  the  day 
b}r  other  parts  of  the  same  division. 

Chamberlain  formed  his  troops  in  brigade  line  of  battle,  stand- 
ing at  attention,  and  in  silence,  as  the  Confederates  marched 
up,  under  the  escort  of  Major  Ellis  Spear  of  the  Twentieth,  and 
other  officers,  on  staff  service,  brigade  after  brigade,  along  our 
front  from  right  to  left ; some  of  their  officers,  by  a marching 
salute,  responding  to  the  courtesy  shown  to  a gallant  foe  by 
Chamberlain  when  he  ordered  his  line  to  a " shoulder  arms  ” 
(known  now  as  the  "carry”),  and  in  the  perfect  decorum  pre- 
served by  our  men.  Matching  their  front  to  that  of  Cham- 
berlain, they  halted  and  formed  their  line,  in  succession  as 
they  arrived,  facing  ours,  and  about  twelve  paces  away,  and 
then  sadly  they  stacked  their  arms,  laid  their  colors  down, 
and  silently  departed  from  sight.  This  ceremony  occupied 
the  whole  day,  and  when  it  ended  the  work  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac  was  done,  and  peace  was  fully  assured. 


ROSTER  OF  THE  TWENTIETH  REGIMENT. 


287 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Twen- 

O O 

tieth  Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army 
Register,  published  by  the  War  Department  August  31,  1865, 
and  other  reliable  sources. 

Officers  at  Final  Muster-out,  July  i6,  1865. 

Colonel:  Ellis  Spear,  May  29,  1S65,  — brevet  Major  from  Captain, 
August,  1863;  brevet  Lieut. -Col.  from  Major,  Sept.  30, 1864;  brevet  Colonel, 
from  Lieut. -Col.,  March  29,  1865;  brevet  Brig. -Gen’ 1 from  Colonel,  to  rank 
March  13,  1865. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Thomas  D.  Chamberlain,  June  23,  1865, — brevet 
Major  from  Captain,  March  13,  1865;  and  brevet  Colonel  from  Lieut. -Col. 

Major:  George  R.  Abbott,  July  3,  1865,— brevet  Major  from  Captain, 
April  9,  1865. 

Captains:  Holman  S.  Melcher,  Oct.  22,  1S64, — brevet  Major,  April  9, 
1865;  William  O.  Howes,  Nov.  29,  1S64;  Charles  F.  Sawyer,  Nov.  29,  1864; 
Albion  Whitten,  Dec.  4,  1S64;  William  H.  Harrington,  Dec.  29,  1864;  John 
Butler,  June  30,  1S65;  Samuel  W.  Schofield,  July  14,  1865;  John  H.  Terry, 
July  14,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  Adjutant  William  E.  Donnell,  Sept.  1,  1863, — 
brevet  Captain  July  6,  1864;  George  W.  Sweetser,  Nov.  29,  1864;  Warren  T. 
Noyes,  Dec.  29,  1864;  George  W.  Furbish,  July  1,  1865;  George  A.  Rider, 
Quartermaster,  July  3,  1865. 

Surgeon:  William  H.  True,  March  9,  1865.  Assistant  Surgeon: 
Charles  G.  Stevens,  July  3,  1865. 

Mustered-out  with  Original  Men,  June  4,  1865. 
Lieutenant-Colonel:  Walter  G.  Morrill,  March  13,  1865, — brevet 
Major  from  Captain,  July  6,  1S64. 

Major:  Atherton  W.  Clark,  March  13,  1865,  — brevet  Major  from  Cap- 
tain, Oct.  28,  1864,  and  brevet  Lieut.-Col.  from  Major. 

Captains:  Howard  L.  Prince,  Dec.  1,  1864, — brevet  Captain  from  First 
Lieut.,  Sept.,  1864;  William  Griffin,  Dec.  27,  1864;  Rufus  B.  Plummer,  Sept. 
16,  1863;  Joseph  B.  Fitch,  March  26,  1863, — brevet  Major,  Sept.  30,  1864; 
Prentiss  M.  Fogler,  March  26,  1863;  Joseph  F.  Land,  March  26,  1863;  Henry 
F.  Sidelinger,  Feb.  13,  1864, — brevet  Major,  April  9,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  Quartermaster  Alden  Litchfield,  Dec,  1,  1862; 
William  K.  Bickford,  June  10,  1864;  Charles  R.  Shorey,  Dec.  1,  1864;  Royal 
B.  Decker,  Dec.  27,  1864;  Mattson  C.  Sanborn,  June  28,  1864;  Albert  E. 
Femald,  July  12,  1864, — brevet  Captain,  Sept.  30,  1864;  Alden  Miller,  Jr., 
July  12,  1864;  Hiram  Morse,  June  18,  1864;  Edmund  R.  Sanborn,  May  7,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Samuel  L.  Miller,  Dec.  1,  1864;  Samuel  G. 
Crocker,  Dec.  27,  1864;  Joseph  Walker,  Dec.  1,  1864;  Albert  E.  Titus,  Dec. 
1,  1864;  Hezekiah  Long,  Dec.  1,  1864;  Aaron  M.  Andrews,  Dec.  6,  1864; 
Spencer  M.  Wyman,  May  19,  1865. 

Assistant  Surgeon:  Granville  M.  Baker,  June  23,  1863. 

(The  dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission;  those  hereafter 
given  refer  to  the  date  of  event. ) 


288 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Died. 

Captains:  Timothy  F.  Andrews,  Oet.  io,  1862;  Charles  W.  Billings, 
July  15,  1S63,  of  wounds  received  at  Gettysburg;  William  W.  Morrell,  killed 
in  action  May  8,  1S64;  Samuel  T.  Keene,  killed  in  action  June  22,  1864, — 
commissioned  Major,  not  mustered;  Weston  H.  Keene,  killed  in  action 
Sept.  30,  1864. 

First  Lieutenants:  Arad  H.  Linscott,  July  27,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  at  Gettysburg;  John  M.  Sherwood,  killed  in  action  May  7,  1864; 
George  H.  Wood,  May  25,  1865,  of  accidental  wounds. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Warren  L.  Kendall,  July  5,  1863,  of  wounds 
received  at  Gettysburg;  Frederick  W.  Lane,  May  14,  1864,  of  wounds. 

Transferred  and  Promoted  out  of  Regiment. 

Colonel  Adelbert  Ames,  W.  P.  R.  A.,  May  20,  1863,  to  Brigadier-General 
Vols.,  brevet  Major-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols.,  January  15,  1865,  brevet  Major-Gen. 
U.  S.  A.  from  Captain  5th  U.  S.  Art’y,  March  13,  1865;  Colonel  Joshua  L. 
Chamberlain,  June  18,  1864,  on  the  field,  to  Brigadier-General  Vols.,  brevet 
Major-Gen.  Vols.,  March  29,  1865;  Captain  IsaacS.  Bangs,  Feb.  26,  1863, — 
Lieut. -Col.  81st  U.  S.  Col’d  Troops,  promoted  to  Colonel  10th  U.  S.  Col’d 
Art’y,  not  mustered,  brevet  Brig. -General,  March  13,  1865;  First  Lieut.  John 
M.  Brown,  Adjutant,  June  29,  1863,  to  Captain  and  A.  A.  G.,— Lieut. -Col. 
Thirty-second  Maine  regt.,  brevet  Brig. -General  Vols.,  March  13,  1865;  Sec- 
ond Lieut.  Geo.  C.  Getchell,  July  30,  1863,  to  Captain  81st  U.  S.  C.  T. ; Sec- 
ond Lieut.  James  C.  Rundlett,  May  22,  1865,  to  Captain  128th  U.  S.  Col’d 
Troops;  Assistant  Surgeon  Nahum  A.  Hersom,  April  11,  1863,  to  Surgeon 
Seventeenth  Maine  Vols. 

Discharged. 

Captain:  Lysander  Hill,  Feb.  6,  1863.  First  Lieutenants:  Arad 
Thompson,  Feb.  15,  1865;  David  M.  Overlock,  March  10,  1865;  James  H. 
Stanwood,  June  2,  1865;  Joseph  Fuller,  2d,  Dec.  20,  1864.  Second  Lieu- 
tenant: Elisha  Besse,  Jr.,  Feb.  6,  1S64. 

Surgeons:  Nahum  P.  Monroe,  May  6,  1863;  John  Benson,  Aug.  27, 
1863;  Abner  O.  Shaw,  Feb.  22,  1S65. 

Chaplain:  Alfred  C.  Godfrey,  March  28,  1865. 

Resigned. 

Colonel:  Charles  D.  Gilmore,  May  29,  1865. 

Captains:  Isaac  W.  Haskell,  Nov.  20,  1862;  Phineas  M.  Jeffards,  Nov. 
29,  1862;  Isaac  H.  McDonald,  Dec.  10,  1862;  Henry  C.  Merriam,  Jan.  7,  1863, 
— afterward  Lieut. -Col.  in  U.  S.  Col’d  Troops  (brevet  Colonel  March  26, 
1865),  Colonel  and  Brig.-Gen’l  U.  S.  A.;  Charles  L.  Strickland,  Feb.  5,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  Addison  W.  Lewis,  Nov.  6,  1863;  Moses  W. 
Brown,  Quartermaster,  Nov.  20,  1862;  Edward  B.  Fifield,  Nov.  20,  1862; 
Hosea  Allen,  Nov.  21,  1862;  James  Lyford,  Nov.  29,  1862;  Frank  G.  Russell, 
Jan.  10,  1863;  Daniel  Stimson,  Jan.  11,  1863;  James  H.  Nichols,  March  1,  1864, 
brevet  Captain. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Edwin  Folsom, Oct.  14,  1862;  George  F.  Sumner, 
Oct.  31,  1862;  Joseph  J.  A.  Hoffses,  Nov.  20,  1862;  Augustus  H.  Strickland, 
Dec.  10,  1862;  William  C.  Bailey,  Feb.  9,  1S63;  Edward  Simonton,  April  6, 
1863;  Thomas  R.  Hogue,  April  14,  1863;  Samuel  H.  Glidden,  Nov.  3,  1863. 

Chaplain:  Luther  P.  French,  Jan.  12,  1864. 

Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Siroella  A.  Bennett,  March  21,  1863. 


|h  the  EVENIHG  0F  JiU-T  25  THIS  REQIMEM I -yj 
kT  A lilTIBN'BH  THE  LEFT  OF  BATTY  C 5IH 
B.  i,  HELPED  TO  REPEL  THE  ENEMY  THAT  HAD  . J,.  ; 
MEN  iH.K«MF»HBEYS’  DIVISION.  TAKING  ODE  y/ 
BATTLE  FLAG  AND  RE-CAPTURING  FOUR  GUNS'.  W 
s OB  JUiy.3;  AFTER  ENEAGIBG  THE  ENEMY'S  •&  ■ 
[ADVANCE  FROM  THIS  POSITION.  IT  MOVED  TO  ■#  :• 
iFKE  RIGHT  TO  THE  SUPPORT  OF  THE  2“  BRIG-  ’jM 
ADE  AHIi  JOINED  IN  THE  FINAL  CHARGE  AND 
REPULSE  OF  PICKETT'S  COMMAND. 

'<  EFFECTIVE  STRENGTH.  ,JJLV  2 . 405-  % 

i KILLED  l MDRTAI  LV  WOUNDED  £5-  VfS 

WOUNDED  HOT  FATALLY.  ID?  MISSING  4 - 


JRTH  ^ 

!«  BRIGADE,  ^ DIVISIOWJ 


%J!@iisaaKA. 

nHk 

■ ■ 1 • 


r'V  Hr  It 


nppB 


NINETEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 


289 


MONUMENT. 

The  monument,  of  cut  Hallowell  granite,  is  a massive  cube,  surmounted 
by  a pyramidal  top.  It  stands  west  of  Hancock  avenue,  to  the  left  of  the 
copse  of  trees  known  as  the  Bloody  Angle,  in  the  position  held  by  the  regi- 
ment while  awaiting  Pickett’s  charge. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  7 feet  by  7 feet  by  1 foot  8 inches;  die,  6 feet 
by  6 feet  by  5 feet  4 inches;  apex,  5 feet  4 inches  by  5 feet  4 inches  by  5 feet 
7 inches.  Total  height,  12  feet  7 inches. 

Upon  the  faces  of  the  cube  are  the  date  1863,  the  trefoil  of  the  Second 
corps,  and  these  inscriptions: 

19  th  Maine  Inf’y  Reg’t. 

1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  2d  Corps 

In  the  evening  of  July  2d  this  regiment 

AT  A POSITION  ON  THE  LEFT  OF  BATT’y  G,  5tH 

U.  S.,  HELPED  TO  REPEL  THE  ENEMY  THAT  HAD 

driven  in  Humphreys’  Division,  taking  one 

BATTLE  FLAG  AND  RE-CAPTURING  FOUR  GUNS. 

On  July  3,  after  engaging  the  enemy’s 

ADVANCE  FROM  THIS  POSITION,  IT  MOVED  TO 

THE  RIGHT  TO  THE  SUPPORT  OF  THE  2d  BRIG- 
ADE AND  JOINED  IN  THE  FINAL  CHARGE  AND 

repulse  of  pickett’s  command. 

Effective  strength,  July  2d,  405 ; 

KILLED  & MORTALLY  WOUNDED,  65  ; 

WOUNDED,  NOT  FATALLY,  137  ; MISSING,  4. 


Colonel  Francis  E.  Heath. 


NINETEENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT, 

FIRST  BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVISION,  SECOND  ARMY  CORPS, 
AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


WHILE  the  desperate  defense  of  Little  Round  Top  was  going- 
on,  the  utmost  efforts  of  the  Third  corps  and  its  rein- 
forcements from  the  Fifth  and  Second  corps,  were  insuffi- 
cient to  maintain  the  advanced  line  taken  up  by  General  Sickles. 
We  have  already  seen  the  Third  Maine  overpowered  at  the  Peach 
Orchard,  the  Fourth  as  severely  handled  in  Devil’s  Den,  and  the 
Seventeenth  holding  on  until  relieved  in  the  Wheatfield,  all  with 
heavv  losses.  The  fortunes  of  these  Maine  reoiments  were  the 

*j  O 

fortunes  of  the  whole  of  Sickles’  line. 

The  success  of  Longstreet  was  the  signal  for  the  advance 
of  the  Confederate  army  along  the  whole  Union  line  ; and  the 
Twentieth  Maine  had  hardly  ceased  fighting  Hood’s  soldiers  on 
Little  Round  Top,  when  the  troops  of  Early  were  ready  to  dash 
on  Cemetery  Hill,  after  dark,  in  the  charge  already  described 
in  connection  with  the  Fifth  Maine  battery.  In  this  general 
attack,  the  place  of  greatest  hope  for  the  Confederates  was  on 
the  left  centre  of  the  Union  army,  where  Sickles’  line  was 
already  crumbling.  This  advantage  followed  up  successfully 
would  cut  Meade’s  army  in  two.  How  this  disaster  was  averted 
cannot  be  told  without  giving  lasting  honor  to  two  Maine  organ- 
izations, the  Nineteenth  infantry  and  Sixth  battery. 

The  Nineteenth  infantry  was  attached  to  Hancock’s  Second 
corps,  and  was  the  only  Maine  organization  in  that  corps.  With 
the  15th  Mass.,  1st  Minn,  and  82d  N.  Y.,  it  formed  Harrow’s 
brigade  of  Gibbon’s  division.  The  regiment  was  commanded 
by  Col.  Francis  E.  Heath,  who  had  earned  his  promotion  in  the 
Virginia  campaigns  of  the  Third  Maine.  The  regiment  num- 
bered four  hundred  and  five,  men  and  officers,  recruited  prin- 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


291 


cipally  in  the  counties  of  Knox,  Waldo,  Kennebec  and  Sagada- 
hoc. They  had  come  from  Maine  less  than  a year  before  ; and, 
although  they  had  seen  hard  service  and  all  the  experiences 
of  the  soldier’s  life  in  the  Rappahannock  campaigns,  this  was 
to  be  their  first  opportunity  to  show  their  worth  in  a great 
pitched  battle. 

As  the  Second  corps  was  the  last  body  of  troops  to  leave 
the  Rappahannock,  the  regiment  had  been  moved  north  by  very 
hard  marches.  On  June  29th  it  was  at  Monocacy,  and  that  day 
it  marched  about  thirty  miles  to  Uniontown,  near  the  Pennsyl- 
vania line.  During  the  forenoon  of  the  1st  of  July  the  regi- 
ment acted  as  guard  of  the  corps  trains,  a duty  which  brought 
it  into  the  extreme  rear  of  the  corps  column.  At  noon  it 
was  relieved  and  ordered  to  take  its  place  in  column.  At  this 
hour  rumors  of  a battle  at  Gettysburg  were  heard.  The  corps 
was  near  Taneytown,  where  at  that  hour  General  Hancock 
met  General  Meade,  and  whence,  after  a consultation,  the 
former  General  rode  on  to  Gettysburg.  General  Hancock 
started  about  1 p.  m.,  and  his  corps  followed  at  once.  The 
Nineteenth  marched  all  the  afternoon  and  until  1 o’clock  the 
next  morning,  when  it  went  into  bivouac  about  three  miles  from 
Gettysburg  on  the  Taneytown  road. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  July  2d  the  Second  corps  was 
placed  in  line  of  battle,  its  right  resting  on  the  left  of  Cemetery 
Hill,  while  its  left  stretched  towards  Little  Round  Top.  The 
three  divisions  of  the  corps  filled  about  half  the  interval  bet  ween 
Cemetery  Hill  and  Little  Round  Top,  Sickles’  Third  corps  hold- 
ing the  remaining  distance.  Gibbon’s  division  held  the  centre 
of  the  Second  corps  line,  two  of  his  brigades  being  in  the  line, 
and  a third  in  reserve  a hundred  yards  in  the  rear  (a). 

This  brigade  was  Harrow’s,  to  which  the  Nineteenth  Maine 
was  attached.  This  arrangement  was  only  temporary,  however. 
General  Sickles,  about  2 : 30  p.  m.,  moved  his  corps  out  to  the 
new  line ; and  after  an  hour’s  desperate  fighting  in  Birney’s 
front  the  left  division  of  Hancock’s  line,  under  Caldwell,  was 
sent  to  assist.  The  left  of  the  Second  corps  line  was  thus  weak- 
ened. Hancock  made  the  most  effective  disposition  of  his  troops 

(a)  General  Harrow’s  report,  Rebellion  Records,  serial  no.  43,  page  419. 


292 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


possible  in  preparation  for  the  crisis  which  his  soldierly  instincts 
anticipated.  In  the  course  of  these  preparations  he  moved  the 
Nineteenth  Maine  from  its  position  in  reserve  to  the  left  of,  and 
in  advance  of,  the  line  of  Gibbon’s  division,  and  stationed  it  on 
the  left  of  Weir’s  U.  S.  battery,  to  which  it  was  to  act  as  sup- 
port. General  Hancock  gave  the  order  for  this  movement  in 
person.  Indeed,  both  General  Hancock  and  General  Meade 
were  present  in  this  part  of  the  line  at  this  time,  hurrying  up 
all  available  troops  and  batteries  to  meet  the  deluge  which  was 
overpowering  Sickles  at  the  Peach  Orchard  salient. 

About  6 : 30  p.  m.  the  Second  division  line  of  the  Third  corps, 
along  the  Emmitsburg  road,  was  attacked  on  that  front.  A 
part  of  Humphreys’  men,  who  held  that  part  of  the  line  along 
the  road,  after  the  division  began  to  change  front  to  rear,  made 
their  line  of  retreat  so  as  to  bring  some  of  the  Excelsior 
brigade  towards  the  advanced  position  of  the  Nineteenth.  The 
Confederates,  impelled  by  the  ardor  imparted  by  success  and 
superior  numbers,  came  pressing  upon  their  flank  and  rear, 
threatening  to  make  the  retreat  a disastrous  rout.  Fearing  this, 
General  Humphreys,  commanding  the  Second  division  of  the 
Third  corps,  after  changing  his  front  to  the  rear,  rode  back  to 
the  Nineteenth,  which  was  lying  down,  and  ordered  it  to  arise 
and  stop  with  the  bayonet  the  soldiers  of  his  command,  who  had 
by  that  time  drifted  back  to  within  one  hundred  and  fifty  paces. 
Colonel  Heath  refused  to  obey  the  order,  fearing  that  his  men, 
once  caught  in  the  disorder  caused  by  broken  troops,  would  be 
swept  to  the  rear.  Then  General  Humphreys  rode  down  the  line 
of  the  Nineteenth  o-ivinsr  the  order  himself.  Colonel  Heath  fol- 

o o 

lowed  countermanding  it,  and  ivas  obeyed  by  his  men  (a) . As 
Humphreys’  men  passed  to  the  rear  some  of  them  shouted  to 
the  Nineteenth,  "Hang  on,  boys  ! we  will  form  in  your  rear.” 
Some  of  them  did  try  to  do  this,  for  they  were  brave  men.  The 

(a)  Captain  George  L.  Whitmore,  of  Bowdoinham,  who  heard  the  conversation 
between  General  Humphreys  and  Colonel  Heath,  says  (in  1889)  that  when  General 
Humphreys  had  tried  to  order  the  Nineteenth  up  in  vain,  he  turned  to  Colonel  Heath 
and  ordered  him  to  the  rear.  To  this  Captain  Whitmore  says  Colonel  Heath  returned 
the  reply,  “ I was  placed  here  by  an  officer  of  higher  rank  for  a purpose,  and  I do  not 
intend  to  go  to  the  rear.  Let  your  troops  form  in  the  rear  and  we  will  take  care  of  the 
enemy  in  front.”  General  Hancock  was  the  officer  who  had  stationed  the  Nineteenth. 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


293 


Excelsior  brigade  succeeded  for  a moment  in  establishing  a line, 
but  soon  drifted  away  in  the  smoke  and  confusion  (a). 

The  Confederate  battle  line  was  now  right  upon  the  four 
hundred  men  from  Maine,  who  arose  unwaveringly  to  receive 
it.  As  the  gray  line  emerged  from  the  smoke,  about  lift}"  yards 
in  front  a tall  color-bearer  was  first  seen,  running  at  double- 
quick  and  tossing  his  colors  several  yards  in  front  of  their  line. 
In  quick  response  to  the  order,  given  by  the  Colonel,  " Drop  that 
color  bearer,”  a private  of  the  Nineteenth  drew  up  his  musket 
and  fired.  The  Confederate  colors  went  down,  and  at  this  instant 
the  Nineteenth  poured  in  its  first  volley.  This  fire  evidently 
stopped  the  Confederates,  as  they  returned  it  at  once.  For  a 
short  time,  no  one  can  tell  how  long,  the  two  lines  exchanged 
volleys.  During  this  fire  Captain  Starbird  of  the  left  company 
reported  that  a Confederate  regiment  was  deploying  on  his  flank. 
The  Colonel  went  to  that  part  of  the  line  at  once,  and  found  the 
enemy  in  double  column  in  the  act  of  deploying.  They  were 
not  over  twenty-five  yards  from  the  left  of  the  Nineteenth.  The 
Colonel  at  once  threw  back  the  left  files  of  Captain  Starbird’ s 
company  so  as  to  pour  an  enfilading  fire  upon  the  Confederate 
regiment,  at  the  same  time  telling  Captain  Starbird  to  "give  it 
to  them.”  The  left  company  mustered  that  day  forty  men, 
and  its  volley,  poured  in  at  short  range  upon  a body  of  men  in 
column,  had  a terrible  effect.  The  Confederate  regiment  melted 
away  in  the  smoke  and  was  seen  no  more. 

The  Colonel  at  once  returned  to  the  centre  of  the  regiment. 
Presently  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  reported  to  him  that  the  enemy 
had  advanced  on  the  right  and  cut  off  the  Nineteenth.  There- 
fore the  order  was  given  at  once  to  face  to  the  rear  and  march 
in  retreat.  Weir’s  battery  meanwhile  had  ceased  firing.  The 
Nineteenth  retreated  about  twenty  or  twenty-five  paces,  when, 
getting  out  of  the  smoke,  it  was  found  that  the  report  of  a flank 

(a)  General  Hancock  in  his  official  report,  Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  l,  page 
377,  says:  “ The  force,  etc.,  * * * approached  the  line  of  battle  as  originally  estab- 
lished. Humphreys’  command  was  forced  back,  contesting  the  ground  stubbornly.” 

He  also  says : “ I directed  General  Humphreys  to  form  his  command  on  the  ground 
from  which  General  Caldwell  had  moved  to  the  support  of  the  Third  corps,  which 
was  promptly  done.  The  number  of  his  troops  collected  was,  however,  very  small, 
scarcely  equal  to  an  ordinary  battalion,  hut  with  many  colors,  this  small  command 
being  composed  of  the  fragments  of  many  shattered  regiments.”— Rebellion  Records, 
Vol.  27.  part  1,  page  371. 


294 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


movement  by  the  enemy  had  been  incorrect.  The  regiment 
immediately  faced  about,  and  the  Colonel  gave  the  order  to 
charge.  The  regiment  responded  instantly,  and  moved  on  the 
double-quick  against  the  enemy  remaining  in  their  front  (a) . 

This  was  the  critical  moment  when  the  Confederate  onset, 
that  had  swept  Sickles  from  the  Emmitsburg  road,  was  stopped 
by  the  second  line  formed  by  Hancock  for  the  emergency.  As 
the  Nineteenth  advanced  towards  the  Emmitsburg  road,  the  Con- 
federates in  front  were  dispersed  or  captured.  Several  stands 
of  colors,  many  prisoners  and  four  Union  cannon,  abandoned 
in  the  retreat,  were  the  trophies  of  this  daring  and  gallant 
charge  (b).  The  Nineteenth,  after  advancing  to  within  one 
hundred  yards  of  the  Emmitsburg  road,  halted  and  remained  in 
that  position  until  recalled  about  dark. 

As  the  men  and  officers  marched  back  to  the  line  on  that 
evening  they  might  justly  have  felt  that  whatever  glories  there 
are  in  war  had  been  won  by  them.  But  they  must  have 
appreciated,  as  a generation  born  to  the  comforts  of  peace  can- 
not, the  cost  of  war.  Their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  had 
been  remarkable  even  in  that  remarkable  battle.  Many  years 
later,  when  the  records  of  the  Union  armies  should  be  studied, 
it  was  to  be  written  in  history  that  at  Gettysburg  Harrow’s  brig- 
ade, of  Hancock's  corps,  suffered  heavier  losses  than  any  other 
brigade  of  any  Federal  army  in  any  battle  of  the  civil  war.  And 
of  the  devoted  regiments  of  that  brigade  the  Nineteenth  Maine 
was  to  stand  second  in  the  extent  of  its  losses  (c).  In  this 
day’s  fighting  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  and  officers  of  the 
regiment  had  been  killed  or  wounded.  The  field  over  which 
they  marched  was  strewn  with  the  ghastly  evidences  of  battle. 

(a)  The  Confederate  troops  engaging  the  Nineteenth  Maine  were  probably  the 
Perry-Lang  brigade,  of  Anderson’s  division,  of  Hill’s  corps. 

(b)  General  Hancock  in  his  official  report,  speaking  of  this  period  of  the  battle, 
says:  “In  this  last  operation  the  Nineteenth  Maine,  Col.  F.  E.  Heath,  bore  a con- 
spicuous part.”  He  also  says:  “ Humphreys’  division  participated  in  this  advance 
and  in  the  recapture  of  its  guns.”— Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  27,  part  1,  page  371. 

(c)  Fox’s  Regimental  Losses  in  the  Civil  War  is  the  authority.  Fox  speaks  of  the 
Nineteenth  as  facing  a feu  d’enfer  on  the  afternoon  of  the  2d.  Of  Harrow’s  brigade, 
the  1st  Minn,  only,  had  losses  greater  than  those  of  the  Nineteenth.  The  Nineteenth 
was  one  of  the  three  hundred  fighting  regiments,  and  lost  at  Gettysburg  in  killed  and 
mortally  wounded,  during  the  two  days,  68  out  of  440,  or  fifteen  per  cent,  according 
to  Fox’s  work.  This  is  the  highest  per  centage  of  any  of  the  Maine  regiments  in  this 
battle.  Fox’s  statement,  as  above,  makes  the  regiment  stronger  by  35  than  the  state- 
ment of  its  officers,  and  the  number  of  the  killed  three  more. 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


295 


Exhausted  by  their  labors,  with  no  food  except  such  as  could 
be  obtained  from  the  haversacks  of  their  fallen  foes,  they  had 
yet  to  perform  the  sad  duty  of  gathering  their  wounded  com- 
rades and  burying  the  dead.  And  when  they  finally  laid  down 
on  their  arms,  the  cries  of  the  enemy’s  wounded,  whom  no 
friends  had  cared  for,  drove  sleep  from  the  eyelids  of  many 
a soldier. 

On  the  forenoon  of  July  3d  there  was  no  fighting  along  that 
portion  of  the  line  occupied  by  the  Second  corps.  The  Nine- 
teenth Maine  was  in  position  about  two  hundred  yards  to  the 
right  of  its  position  of  the  previous  day.  At  daybreak  four 
companies,  under  Capt.  W.  H.  Fogler,  were  sent  out  to  form 
a skirmish  line,  the  right  of  which  was  to  rest  upon  the  Emmits- 
burg  road  at  the  Codori  house.  They  remained  there  until 
Pickett’s  division  deployed  for  its  famous  charge,  when  they 
retired  to  the  left,  some  of  them  falling  in  with  Stannard’s  Ver- 
mont brigade.  Neither  to  these  skirmishers,  nor  to  the  rest  of 
the  regiment,  were  any  rations  served  until  after  the  fighting 
of  the  day  was  ended. 

Although  the  forenoon  of  July  3d  passed  without  incident 
on  the  Union  centre  and  left,  there  was  severe  fighting  on  the 
extreme  right  where  the  Twelfth  corps  were  driving  Ewell’s  men 
from  intrenchments  on  Culp’s  Hill,  which  were  seized  during  the 
assault  of  the  previous  evening ; and  in  the  woods  in  front  of 
the  Second  corps  the  Confederates  were  preparing  for  that  final 
charge,  which,  as  they  expected,  was  to  pierce  the  Union  line, 
divide  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  open  the  way  to  the  great 
cities  of  the  north,  conquer  peace  and  procure  the  recognition 
of  the  southern  Confederacy  as  one  of  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
In  the  way  of  the  realization  of  these  magnificent  dreams  was 
the  thin  line  of  Hancock’s  corps,  worn  by  long  marches  and 
one  desperate  battle,  and  half-famished  by  a fast  prolonged 
for  more  than  twenty-four  hours.  The  Nineteenth  Maine  was 
lying  directly  in  the  pathway  which  Lee  was  pointing  out  to 
his  soldiers. 

Pickett’s  Charge. 

About  1 o’clock,  at  a signal  of  two  guns,  well  understood 
by  the  soldiers  of  both  armies,  the  Confederate  artillery  of  one 


296 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


hundred  and  fifty  guns  opened  in  the  grand  cannonade  which 
was  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  charge.  No  soldiers  in  the  new 
world  had  ever  yet  faced  such  a fire  as  Hancock’s  men  found 
rained  upon  them.  More  than  a hundred  cannon  were  concen- 
trating upon  them  a fire  of  solid  shot  and  shell.  The  Nineteenth 
Maine,  lying  in  the  midst  of  the  Second  corps  line,  had  no  more 
protection  than  could  be  afforded  by  a light  stone-wall ; but 
the  thinness  of  the  line  was  its  salvation,  as  it  prevented  those 
extensive  casualties  which  alone  could  have  added  anything  to 
the  terrors  of  the  situation.  For  an  hour  and  a half,  a time 
during  which  the  mind  of  every  soldier  was  strained  to  the 
utmost  limit  of  human  suspense  and  anxiety,  this  cannonade 
continued.  Then,  from  the  distant  woods  upon  which  every 
eye  was  bent,  appeared  the  magnificent  spectacle  of  the  enemy’s 
skirmishers  deploying  from  a column  of  15,000  men,  like  the 
opening  of  a vast  fan.  But  in  spite  of  this  splendid  reminder 
of  the  discipline  and  ardor  of  their  enemy,  a feeling  of  relief 
and  exaltation  swept  from  heart  to  heart  along  Hancock’s  line. 
With  the  end  of  the  artillery  fire  the  feeling  of  helplessness 
disappeared.  "We  knew  then  that  a decisive  moment  was 
coming ; and  we  felt  that  we  were  equal  to  it,”  said  an  officer 
of  the  Nineteenth,  as  years  afterwards  he  described  the  scenes 
of  the  hour. 

Immediately  following  the  skirmishers  came  the  Confederate 
line, — Pickett’s  division  of  Virginians,  the  flower  of  the  Confed- 
erate army,  supported  on  the  right  by  Wilcox  and  Lang  as  a 
shield  and  on  the  left  by  Pettigrew  and  Trimble  as  part  of  the 
charging  column.  Well  flanked  on  either  side  by  heavy  sup- 
ports, the  advancing  column  moved  forward  over  the  mile  and 
a quarter  of  intervening  fields,  with  a steadiness  described  with 
admiration  by  every  spectator  and  every  historian.  The  Union 
batteries  opened  upon  them  at  once.  When  they  came  nearer 
the  infantry  began  to  fire,  the  Nineteenth  beginning  when  they 
Avere  within  three  or  four  hundred  yards.  The  Confederates, 
as  they  advanced,  obliqued  to  their  left,  bringing  the  weight  of 
their  charge  to  the  right  of  the  Nineteenth,  and  impinging  upon 
Webb’s  brigade,  of  Gibbon’s  division.  Webb’s  Pennsylvanians 
gave  way  before  it ; but  their  comrades  of  the  Second  corps 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


297 


rushed  up  to  restore  the  line.  The  Nineteenth  Maine  was  among 
the  first,  followed  by  several  regiments  on  its  left.  It  was  a 
wild  charge,  with  little  regard  for  ranks  or  files.  Volleys  were 
given  and  received  at  close  quarters.  In  their  anxiety  to  reach 
the  foe,  men  thrust  their  rifles  over  the  shoulders,  under  the 
arms  and  between  the  legs,  of  those  in  the  front  ranks  of  the 
melee.  All  this  went  on  while  batteries  far  and  near,  and  of 
both  friend  and  foe,  were  throwing  shot  and  shell  into  the  area 
crowded  with  the  struggling  combatants.  A little  copse  of 
trees,  which  remains  to  this  day,  marked  the  place  of  severest 
conflict.  As  the  Nineteenth  arrived  at  this  copse  a piece  of 
shell  prostrated  Colonel  Heath,  and  the  command  devolved  upon 
Lieut.-Col.  Cunningham.  He  soon  received  an  order  from 
an  officer  to  cease  firing,  form  the  colors  on  the  left  and  wait 
for  further  orders.  The  Nineteenth  was  at  the  south  edge  of 
the  copse  of  trees.  The  Confederates  were  at  that  moment 
holding  the  portion  of  the  Union  line  where  they  had  broken 
through,  and  were  within  a few  yards  of  the  copse.  The  Nine- 
teenth, with  the  other  troops  at  hand,  were  at  once  ordered 
forward  by  General  Webb.  They  moved  along  the  left  of  the 
copse  down  to  the  wall  where  the  Union  line  had  been,  but 
which  was  now  in  possession  of  the  Confederates ; there  the 
fighting  was  hand  to  hand  until  the  enemy  were,  by  sheer 
strength,  pushed  bejmnd  the  wall ; then  the  line  was  saved. 
The  great,  decisive  battle  of  the  rebellion  was  ended. 

The  Nineteenth  Maine  lost  in  the  two  days  of  battle,  65 
killed  and  mortally  wounded,  137  wounded  not  fatally,  and  4 
missing  who  were  killed  undoubtedly  as  no  one  of  them  has 
since  been  heard  from  (a). 

PARTICIPANTS. 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Francis  E.  Heath,  Waterville. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Henry  W.  Cunningham,  Belfast. 

Major,  James  W.  Welch,  Augusta. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Francis  W.  Haskell,  Waterville. 

(a)  The  casualties  as  returned  after  the  battle  and  before  the  results  of  the  inju- 
ries to  the  wounded  were  known,  were,  l officer  and  28  enlisted  men  killed  ; 11  officers 
and  159  enlisted  men  wounded,  and  4 enlisted  men  missing.  See  summary  at  end  of 
list  of  casualties,  page  310. 


298 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  James  W.  Wakefield,  Bath. 
Surgeon,  Adoniram  J.  Billings,  Freedom. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Henry  C.  Levensaler,  Thomaston. 


Sergeant-Major,  George  A.  Wadsworth,  Bath. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  George  H.  Page,  Warren. 

Company  A. 

(Including  3 present  sick.) 

Captain,  J.  Whitman  Spaulding,  Richmond. 

First  Lieutenant,  David  E.  Parsons,  Norridgevvock. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Alvirus  Osborne,  Smithfield. 

SERGEANTS. 

Thomas  M.  Heald,  Norridgewock,  Charles  H.  Colburn,  Richmond, 
Asa  Andrews,  2d,  Moscow. 


CORPORALS. 

Leonard  H. Washburn, Norridgewock,  Payson  T.  Heald,  Norridgewock, 
Gardiner  W.  Bigelow,  Smithfield,  Columbus  S.  Anderson,  Richmond, 
Elias  T.  Jordan,  Richmond,  George  R.  Ridley,  Richmond, 

Hiram  W.  Gage,  Norridgewock,  Abner  Baker,  Moscow. 

PRIVATES. 

Bigelow,  Charles  H.,  Smithfield,  Buker,  John  C.,  Richmond, 

Buker,  William  F.,  Richmond,  Bumpus,  Alson  B.,  The  Forks  pi., 

Butler,  Edward  K.,  Norridgewock,  Charles,  Arthur  E.,  Rome, 


Charles,  Benjamin  F.,  Rome, 
Church,  John  P.,  Gardiner, 
Dawes,  John  D.,  Madison, 
Eastman,  Franklin,  Gardiner, 
Gage,  S.  Nelson,  Madison, 
Groves,  Robert  W.,  Smithfield, 
Ingalls,  Joseph  F.,  Mercer, 

Joy,  William  P.,  Ellsworth, 
Lancaster,  John  P.,  Richmond, 
Leavitt,  Samuel,  Richmond, 
Merrill,  John,  Jr.,  Richmond, 
Nottage,  William  H.,  Starks, 
Sawtelle,  Levander,  Starks, 
Tibbetts,  Charles  H.,  Mercer, 
Trott,  William  F.,  Richmond, 
Weaver,  George  M.,  Starks, 


Chase,  Roger,  Madison, 

Collins,  Charles  W.,  Starks, 

Dresser,  Emerson,  Madison, 

Foss,  Kingman,  Moscow, 

Groves,  Charles  H.,  Norridgewock, 
Heald,  Perham,  Norridgewock, 
Jones,  Amos  R.,  Madison, 

Kennison,  Andrew,  Norridgewock, 
Leavitt,  Henry,  Richmond, 

Meader,  John  W.,  Mercer, 

Murphy,  William  B.,  Norridgewock, 
Rowe,  Charles  M.,  Smithfield, 
Small,  Richard,  Richmond, 

Tibbetts,  Isaac  W.,  Mercer, 

Vigue,  Louis,  Carratunk  pi., 

Wells,  Bradford  B.,  Mercer, 


Williams,  David,  Perkins. 

Musician:  J.  Loyalist  Brown,  Bowdoinham. 

Wagoner:  Samuel  D.  Jordan,  Richmond. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Elliot  F.  Col- 
lins, Starks,  art’y  brig.;  Osborn  W.  Fish,  Madison,  Thomas  J.  Gaubert, 
Richmond,  Isaac  Powers,  Norridgewock,  and  Hiram  W.  Varney,  Norridge- 
wock, amb.  corps;  Sherburne  N.  Rowe,  Smithfield,  and  Alfred  Taylor,  Nor- 
ridgewock, guard  div.  h’dqrs;  John  R.  Webster,  Norridgewock,  clerk  quar- 
termaster dept.,  army  h’dqrs. 

Company  B. 

(Including  2 present  sick.) 

First  Lieutenant,  Elisha  W.  Ellis,  Monroe. 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


299 


SERGEANTS. 

Darius  S.  Richards,  Lincolnville,  Edwin  A.  Howes,  Liberty, 
Benjamin  S.  Crooker,  Lincolnville. 

CORPORALS. 

Martin  Hannan,  Montville,  William  Briggs,  Monroe, 

Abial  Turner,  Palermo,  Samuel  N.  Robertson,  Monroe, 

David  G.  Bagley,  Liberty,  John  M.  Wellington,  Montville, 

Washington  Patterson,  Monroe,  Alvin  H.  Ellis,  Monroe. 

PRIVATES. 


Bullen,  Hugh  A.,  Montville, 
Chapman,  George  F.,  Liberty, 
Cilley,  Lorenzo  D.,  Brooks, 
Coffin,  Frank,  Thorndike, 

Cross,  Israel  H.,  Lincolnville, 
Curtis,  Watson,  Monroe, 

Dean,  Silas,  Lincolnville, 

Flagg,  Job  P.,  Monroe, 

Gregory7,  Alonzo  V. , Montville, 
Hardy,  Willard  R.,  Searsmont, 
Hubbard,  William,  Palermo, 
Knowles,  Andrew  J.,  Thorndike, 
Larrabee,  Moses,  Jr.,  Monroe, 
Monroe,  Joseph  R.,  Thorndike, 
Morong,  George  E.,  Lincolnville, 
Parsons,  Henry7,  Thorndike, 
Roberts,  Oscar  E.,  Brooks, 

Ward,  Benjamin  F.,  Thorndike, 
Ware,  Jason,  Northport, 

Wilson,  Erastus  T.,  Searsmont, 


Buzzell,  Elijah  K.,  Monroe, 
Churchill,  William  H.,  Montville, 
Clifford,  Wilbur  M.,  Palermo, 
Crockett,  Wilbur,  Lincolnville, 
Crummett,  Orson  E.,  Northport, 
Curtis,  William  H.,  Monroe, 
Dunton,  Hosea  B.,  Liberty, 

Gray,  James  C.,  Monroe, 

Hannan,  Horace  I.,  Liberty, 

Hills,  Isaac,  Northport, 

Hustus,  Hiram  A.,  Monroe, 
Ivnowlton,  Joshua  T.,  Monroe, 
Mayo,  George  M.,  Monroe, 

Moody,  Augustus  R.,  Lincolnville, 
Noyes,  Eli,  Palermo, 

Rand,  Marshall  H.,  Monroe, 
Tenney,  Leonard,  Northport, 
Ware,  Jabez  G.,  Northport, 
Whitney,  Mark  L.,  Lincolnville, 
Young,  George  W.,  Lincolnville. 


Musician:  Edward  L.  Mitchell,  Liberty. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Second  Lieut.  Ansel  L. 
White,  Belfast,  acting  A.  D.  C.  on  brig,  staff.  Sergt.  Daniel  Bachelor, 
Palermo,  amb.  corps.  Wagoner  John  A.  Porter,  Lincolnville,  div.  h’dqrs. 
Privates:  Ira  Z.  Bennett,  Montville,  battery  B,  ist  R.  I. ; William  R.  Bradstreet, 
Palermo,  amb.  corps;  Morrison  R.  Heal,  Searsmont,  battery  A,  4th  U.  S. ; 
Mayberry  Richards,  Lincolnville,  guard  div.  h'dqrs. 


Company  C. 

(Including  5 present  sick.) 
Captain,  George  L.  Whitmore,  Bowdoinham. 

First  Lieutenant,  Albion  Whitten,  Troy. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Francis  H.  Foss,  Fairfield. 


SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  George  Dunbar,  Fairfield, 

Henry  W.  Nye,  Fairfield,  Eugene  A.  Boulter,  Unity, 

Alexander  W.  Lord,  Fairfield,  William  H.  Emery,  Fairfield. 

CORPORALS. 

Gershom  F.  Tarbell,  Benton,  Lindley  H.  Whittaker,  Troy, 

George  M.  Cotton,  Fairfield,  George  A.  Osborn,  Fairfield, 


300 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Christopher  Erskine,  Whitefield, 
Alphonzo  Nichols,  Fairfield, 

Adams,  John  B.,  Bowdoin, 
Bickmore,  Mayo,  Troy, 

Brann,  Merrill,  Whitefield, 

Call,  Frederick  S.,  Richmond, 
Clough,  Harrison  T.,  St.  Albans 
Dodge,  Charles  H.,  Freedom, 
Emery,  Henry,  Fairfield, 
Gilman,  Lorenzo  D.,  Unity, 
Greenleaf,  Benjamin  W.,  Starks, 
Hodgdon,  George  E.,  Troy, 
Jones,  Charles  W.,  Thorndike, 
Lewis,  Jonathan,  Clinton, 

Lewis,  William  E.,  Fairfield, 
Maxim,  Sullivan  A.,  St.  Albans, 
Mclntire,  Ezra  F.,  Fairfield, 
Phinney,  Thomas  F.,  Unity, 
Pratt,  Elbridge  P.,  Fairfield, 
Reynolds,  Josiah  K.,  Unity, 
Shaw,  Johnson,  Troy, 

Snell,  Cyrus  F.,  Madison, 
Spaulding,  William,  Benton, 
Webb,  Reuben  R.,  Unity, 


Gustavus  L.  Thompson,  Fairfield, 
Russell  B.  Gray,  Fairfield. 

PRIVATES. 

Allen,  Alfred  F.,  Fairfield, 
Blethen,  James  L.,  Unity, 

Buzzell,  Benjamin  F. , Benton, 
Chisam,  Theodore,  Unity, 

Crosby,  Abijah,  Benton, 

Emerson,  James  D.,  Madison, 
Fogg,  Eben  S.,  Fairfield, 

Glidden,  Franklin  W.,  Whitefield. 
Haskell,  Joseph  E.,  Fairfield, 
Huntress,  George  H.,  Shapleigh, 
Kimball,  Lyman  B.,  Clinton, 
Lewis,  Milford  T.,  Fairfield, 
Libby,  Nathaniel  P.,  Unity, 

Mayo,  Oscar  F.,  Fairfield, 

Oliver,  James  M.,  Fairfield, 
Plummer,  Myrick,  Whitefield, 
Reed,  Thomas,  Richmond, 
Rhoades,  Reuben,  Troy, 

Sinclair,  David,  Fairfield, 
Spaulding,  John,  Benton, 

Usher,  Orin  S.,  Albion, 
Woodward,  Joseph  G.,  Troy, 


Woodman,  Alfred,  Troy. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Franklin  Bur- 
rill,  Fairfield,  and  Edwin  Garcelon,  Troy,  amb.  corps;  Albert  Choate,  Lenity, 
and  John  G.  Pierce,  Clinton,  art’y  brig.;  Charles  C.  Goodwin,  2d,  Dresden, 
Henry  C.  Goodwin,  Dresden,  George  W.  Tibbetts,  Unity,  and  Randall  K. 
Whitten,  Unity,  battery  B,  1st  R.  I.;  JohnS.  Hall,  Fairfield,  saddler  brig, 
h’dqrs;  William  H.  Morrill,  Benton,  teamster  brig,  h’dqrs;  Daniel  Sanborn, 
Fairfield,  blacksmith  brig,  h’dqrs;  Richard  Whitten,  Unity,  guard  div.  h’dqrs. 

Company  D. 

(Including  5 present  sick.) 

Captain,  William  H.  Fogler,  Belfast. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edward  R.  Cunningham,  Belfast. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Leroy  S.  Scott,  Belfast. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Elbridge  C.  Pierce,  Belfast, 


George  L.  Starkey,  Belfast, 
John  C.  Knowlton,  Montville, 

John  F.  Frost,  Belfast, 

Edgar  Paul,  Belfast, 

Francis  C.  Wood,  Northport, 
William  H.  Wording,  Belfast. 

Beckwith,  Silas,  Belfast, 
Brown,  James  C.,  Searsmont, 


Ralph  Johnson,  Belfast, 

John  A.  Lord,  Belfast. 
CORPORALS. 

Robert  T.  Newell,  Belfast, 
Jesse  A.  Wilson,  Belfast, 
Alfred  P.  Waterman,  Belfast, 

PRIVATES. 

Blodgett,  Joshua  W.,  Morrill, 
Buckling,  William  D.,  Waldo, 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


301 


Byard,  Henry  D.,  Rockland, 
Coffin,  Augustus,  Thorndike, 
Cunningham,  Alden,  Waldo, 
Dean,  Horace,  Belfast, 

Haire,  Roswell,  Belfast, 
Hartshorn,  Henry  H.,  Belfast, 
Hatch,  Gardiner  L.,  Montville, 
Hoffses,  Hiram  B.,  Waldoboro, 
Hunt,  Lewis,  Pittston, 

Knowlton,  Elisha  P.,  Swanville, 
Lenfest,  James,  Swanville, 
Merriam,  John,  Morrill, 
Nickerson,  Jonathan  S.,  Belfast, 
Perham,  Myrick,  Pittston, 
Prescott,  Franklin  K.,  Northport, 
Srnally,  Castanous  M.,  Belfast, 
Thomas,  Hushai,  Morrill, 

Tufts,  George  F.,  Belfast, 
Wentworth,  Orlando  F.,  Waldo, 
White,  John  A.,  Belfast, 

Young,  John  W.,  Belfast. 


Clements,  Charles  H.,  Knox, 

Cooper,  Charles  F.,  Belfast, 
Cunningham,  Cornelius,  Belfast, 

Gray,  John,  Belmont, 

Hamilton,  Charles  R.,  Swanville, 
Hatch,  Barak  A.,  Belmont, 

Hinds,  Prescott  D.,  Belfast, 

Hunt,  Kingsbury,  Pittston, 

Kelley  Louira  A.,  Belfast,  act’g  Corp., 
Lear,  Benjamin  O.,  Northport, 

Maker,  Andrew  R.,  Belfast, 

Murch,  Charles  A.,  Belfast, 

Palmer,  George  W.,  Pittston, 

Poor,  Levi  M.,  Belmont, 

Robbins,  James,  Belfast, 

Thomas,  Ezekiel  R.,  Morrill, 
Thomas,  Hushai  C.,  Morrill, 
Wentworth,  Franklin  A.,  Belfast, 
White,  James  W.,  Belfast, 

Wyman,  Frederick  H.,  Belfast, 


Musician:  Henry  McIntosh,  Vinalhaven. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  Nelson  N.  Mayo, 
Belfast,  provo.  guard.  Privates:  James  O.  Bean,  Belmont,  Hazzard’s  batt’y; 
Annas  S.  Campbell,  Belfast,  and  Lorenzo  W.  Hoffses,  Waldoboro,  provo. 
guard;  John  W.  Carter,  Belfast,  carpenter  corps  h’dqrs;  Elijah  S.  Chase, 
Pittston,  William  W.  Hartshorn,  Belfast,  Enoch  Hollis,  Jr.,  Pittston,  and 
Rufus  Tripp,  Swanville,  guard  div.  h’dqrs;  Jacob  N.  Cunningham,  Waldo, 
art’y  brig.;  Emery  Robbins,  Belfast,  forage-master  corps  h’dqrs;  Bridges  C. 
Sherman,  Liberty,  Franklin  Wentworth,  Waldo,  and  George  Williams, 
Waldo,  amb.  corps. 


Company  E. 

First  Lieutenant,  Nehemiah  Smart,  Swanville,  commanding. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  James  H.  Pierce,  Prospect, 

William  B.  Sawyer,  Searsport,  George  L.  Merrill,  Searsport, 

Alfred  E.  Nickerson,  Swanville,  Enoch  C.  Dow,  Stockton, 
Andrew  D.  Black,  Stockton,  acting  Sergeant-Major  July  3. 

CORPORALS. 

Milton  W.  Nichols,  Searsport, 
Charles  B.  Norris,  Searsport, 
Nahum  Downs,  Swanville. 
PRIVATES. 

Blanchard,  Thomas  S.,  Stockton, 


John  B.  Campbell,  Frankfort, 
Frank  A.  Patterson,  Stockton, 
Collins  McCarty,  Jr.,  Belfast, 


Atwood,  John  R.,  Frankfort, 
Bowden,  Levi,  Frankfort, 
Campbell,  Daniel  A.,  Frankfort, 
Cilley,  Judah,  Brooks, 

Cookson,  Joseph  G.,  Frankfort, 
Dearborn,  Leonard,  Manchester, 


Campbell,  Charles  E.,  Frankfort, 
Carter,  William  A.,  Stockton, 
Colson,  William  J.,  Searsport, 
Curtis,  Americus  J.,  Swanville, 
Dickey,  Manly  L.,  Stockton, 


302 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Edwards,  Joseph  W.,  Searsport, 
Holmes,  John  C.,  Frankfort, 
Low,  William  H.,  Frankfort, 
Moore,  James  S.,  Frankfort, 
Nickerson,  Fred  A.,  Swanville, 
Nickerson,  John  F.,  Swanville, 
Patterson,  Isaac  W.,  Prospect, 
Shaw,  James  H.,  Brunswick, 
Staples,  Robert  F. , Stockton, 
Strout,  Parish  L.,  Swanville, 
Waterhouse,  Fred  L.,  Searsport, 


Harriman,  Charles  E.,  Searsport, 
Keene,  John  F.,  Stockton, 
Maddox,  Jason,  Appleton, 

Moore,  John  B.,  Frankfort, 
Nickerson.  John  E.,  Swanville, 
Nickerson,  Reuel,  Swanville, 
Pease,  Samuel  O.,  Frankfort, 
Sheldon,  Edward  B.,  Camden, 
Stinson,  Alfred,  Prospect, 
Sweetser,  James,  Searsport, 


Woodbury,  Stephen  E.,  Searsport. 
MUSICIANS. 

Freeman  Waning,  Frankfort,  Isaac  L.  Spaulding,  Frankfort. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Charles  Clark, 
Frankfort,  battery  I,  ist  R.  I.;  Nelson  Curtis,  Swanville,  cook;  William  H. 
Grant,  Prospect,  and  James  E.  Nason,  Frankfort,  amb.  corps;  Eugene  Mer- 
rill, Searsport,  ord’ly  div.  h’dqrs;  PelegS.  Staples,  Stockton,  batt’y  B,  ist  R.  I. 

Company  F. 


(Including  2 present  sick.) 
Captain,  Isaac  W.  Starbird,  Litchfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  E.  Nash,  Hallowell. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Edwin  H.  Rich,  Thorndike. 


SERGEANTS. 

ist  Sgt.,  Thos.  T.  Rideout,  B’d’nham,  Oliver  R.  Small,  West  Gardiner, 
Andrew  J.  Goodwin,  Litchfield,  Orville  G.  Tuck,  Hallowell, color  sergt. 

CORPORALS. 

William  A.  Wood.  Bowdoinham,  Phillip  H.  Foster,  Topsham, 

Joshua  F.  Gross,  Brunswick,  John  Richards,  Bowdoinham, 

Moses  S.  Dennett,  Lewiston,  Samuel  Smith,  Litchfield, 

Richard  H.  Spear,  West  Gardiner. 


PRIVATES. 


Adams,  Franklin,  Bowdoinham, 
Arris,  George  A.,  Topsham, 

Blake,  Samuel  T.,  Monmouth, 
Burke,  Cyrus  E.,  Litchfield, 

Chase,  James  F.,  Topsham, 

Crane,  Jonathan,  Topsham, 

Davis,  John  IT,  Litchfield, 
Dunnell,  Edwin  L.,  Monmouth, 
Gardiner,  Israel  A.,  Richmond, 
Gilbert,  Addison,  Leeds, 

Glass,  Rufus  P.,  Bowdoinham, 
Gowell,  Nathaniel  O.,  Litchfield, 
Grover,  Alford,  West  Gardiner, 
Harmon,  Stephen,  Litchfield, 
Hodgman,  George  W.,  Wales, 
Leavitt,  Frank  M.,  Bowdoinham, 
Potter,  Roscoe  H , West  Gardiner, 


Adams,  Silas,  Bowdoinham, 

Berry,  Andrew  J.,  Topsham, 

Brann,  John  E.,  West  Gardiner, 
Chase,  George  E.,  Topsham, 

Cole,  Daniel  M.,  West  Gardiner, 
Crosby,  William  H.,  West  Gardiner, 
Dillingham,  Charles  E.,  W.  Gardiner, 
Durgin,  George  T.,  Bowdoinham, 
Getchell,  Phillip  P.,  Augusta, 

Given,  Simeon  S.,  Bowdoinham, 
Gowell,  John  D.,  Litchfield, 
Greenleaf,  Joseph  D.,  Litchfield, 
Hanscom,  Moses  C.,  Bowdoinham, 
Harrington,  Charles  D.,  Topsham, 
Keen,  Calvin  B.,  Leeds, 

Maxwell,  Rufus  S.,  Bowdoin, 
Richardson,  Lorenzo  M.,  Litchfield, 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


303 


Shorey,  William  H.,  Monmouth, 
Smith,  John  D.,  Litchfield, 
Stevens,  James  O.,  Litchfield, 
Turner,  Anson,  Gardiner, 


Rose,  Thomas  S.,  Greene, 

Small,  William  S.,  Wales, 

Spear,  Alvin,  West  Gardiner, 

Tobey,  Joseph  A.,  Somerville, 

White,  George  O.,  Hallowell. 

MUSICIANS. 

Henry  H.  Williams,  Bowdoin,  Lauriston  Chamberlain,  Bowdoinham. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  James  H. 
Bowie,  Bowdoin,  battery  B,  ist  R.  I.;  Robert  H.  Corey,  Topsham,  amb. 
corps;  Edwin  Fairbanks,  West  Gardiner,  cattle  g’d  corps  h’dqrs;  William 
J.  Nickerson,  Topsham,  and  Thomas  L.  Palmer,  Hallowed,  guard  div. 
h’dqrs;  James  W.  Powers,  Litchfield,  battery  I,  ist  U.  S. 

Company  G. 

Captain,  Everett  M.  Whitehouse,  China. 

First  Lieutenant,  Loring  Farr,  Manchester. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  Sewall,  Augusta. 

sergeants. 

William  O.  Tibbetts,  Augusta, 
Edward  H.  Hicks,  Augusta. 
corporals. 

William  P.  Worthing,  China, 

George  W.  Andrews,  Augusta, 
Stephen  P.  McKenney,  Augusta, 
Charles  R.  Powers,  Augusta. 
privates. 

Carroll,  Charles  J.,  Windsor, 


George  A.  Barton,  Augusta, 
Albert  N.  Williams,  Augusta, 

Albert  H.  Packard,  Augusta, 
George  L.  Perkins,  New  Sharon, 
Walter  Jordan,  Chesterville, 
George  W.  Chapman,  Windsor, 


Carpenter,  Thomas  E.,  China, 
Chadwick,  Judah  A.,  Augusta, 
Dain,  Andrew  J.,  Chesterville, 
Fuller,  George  S.,  Chesterville, 
Grady,  William  O.,  Augusta, 
Hussey,  George  A.,  Augusta, 
Jackson,  Charles  H.,  China, 
Lane,  Nathaniel,  Augusta, 
Littlefield,  Ruel,  Augusta, 
Mahoney,  Daniel,  Augusta, 
Mayers,  James  H.,  Dresden, 
Murphy,  William,  Augusta, 
Nelson,  Erastus  F.,  China, 
Robbins,  Franklin  D.,  China, 
Robbins,  Philip  M , Chesterville, 
Smart,  Orren  P.,  Augusta, 

Smith,  Augustus  C.,  Augusta, 
Smith,  George  A.,  Vienna, 


Cowan,  John  F.,  Palermo, 

Doe,  George  F.,  Windsor, 

Gill,  Elijah,  Chesterville, 

Haskell,  Joseph  H.,  China, 

Jackman,  William  H.,  Mount  Vernon, 
Jones,  Amos,  China, 

Leighton,  Hampton  W.,  Augusta, 
Lord,  Amasa,  Augusta, 

Marston,  Alfred  J.,  Augusta, 

Moody,  Isaac,  Augusta, 

Murray,  Winthrop,  China, 

Rideout,  Thomas  B.,  Augusta, 
Robbins,  John  L.,  China, 

Rogers,  Henry  A.,  China, 

Small,  William  B.,  Augusta, 

Smith,  Charles  F.,  Augusta, 

Tobey,  William  B.,  China, 

Tyler,  Elias,  China. 


Trask,  Lauriston  G.,  Augusta, 

Musician:  Ansel  B.  Dorset,  Chesterville. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Albert  Cad, 
Augusta,  Benjamin  R.  Marston,  Augusta,  and  George  W.  Merrill,  Windsor, 
guard  div.  h’dqrs;  Warren  C.  Harlow,  Augusta,  Abner  Haskell,  Augusta, 
and  Alfred  Haskell,  Augusta,  teamsters  brig,  h’dqrs;  Jeremy  D.  Hyson, 


304 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Windsor,  cook  brig,  h’dqrs;  George  W.  Keen,  Windsor,  hostler  brig,  h’dqrs; 
Edwin  D.  Lee,  China,  orderly  brig,  h’dqrs;  Abram  Merrill,  Windsor,  cattle 
drover  corps  h’dqrs;  Lewis  A.  Moulton,  Chesterville,  battery  B,  ist  R.  I. 

Company  H. 

Captain,  Willard  Lincoln,  China. 

First  Lieutenant,  Albert  Hunter,  Clinton. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Stephen  R.  Gordon,  Clinton. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  John  F.  Stackpole,  Albion, 

Jesse  A.  Dorman,  Canaan,  Charles  P.  Garland,  Winslow, 

George  E.  Webber,  Gardiner,  James  T.  Waldron,  Canaan. 

CORPORALS. 

George  F.  Hopkins,  Albion, 

George  H.  Willey,  Clinton, 

Samuel  C.  Brookings,  Pittston, 


Francis  P.  Furber,  Clinton, 
Hollis  F Arnold,  Palermo, 
Alfred  T.  Dunbar,  Winslow, 
James  O.  Seavey,  Boothbay. 


Abbott,  Daniel  B , Winslow, 
Coro,  Joseph,  China, 

Estes,  John  H.,  Vassalboro, 
Gerald,  William  F. , Clinton, 
Hamlin,  Charles  L.,  Vassalboro, 
Hopkins,  Lewis  E.,  Albion, 
Leonard,  William,  Albion, 
Martin,  Reuben  D.,  Canaan, 
Murphy,  Hamlen  H.,  Friendship 
Patterson,  Henry  L.,  Augusta, 
Reed,  Jesse,  Gardiner, 
Richardson,  Luke  T.,  Canaan, 
Taylor,  William,  Winslow, 
Wheeler,  George  E.,  Canaan, 
Wilson,  John  S.,  Winslow, 


PRIVATES. 

Carr,  Rinaldo  A.,  Palermo, 

Dodge,  Martin  V.  B , Palermo, 
Estes,  Redford  M.,  Vassalboro, 
Goodridge,  Drew,  Canaan, 
Hodgdon,  Isaac  C.,  Clinton, 

James,  Josephus,  Pittston, 

Libby,  Charles  H.,  Albion, 
Merrow,  Thomas  W.,  Canaan, 
Page,  Isaac  L.,  Chelsea, 

Prescott,  Charles,  Hartland, 
Richards,  Elmerin  W.,  Winslow, 
Small,  James  L.,  Pittston, 
Washburn,  Augustus,  Canaan, 
Williams,  Nicholas,  West  Gardiner, 
Wood,  William  F.,  Winslow, 
Young,  Benjamin,  Pittston. 


Wyman,  James,  Hermon, 

Musician:  Henry  B.  Washburn,  China. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  Samuel  S.  Hol- 
brook, Athens,  div.  h’dqrs.  Privates:  Charles  E.  Burrill,  Canaan,  hostler; 
John  S.  Clark,  Gardiner,  nurse;  Arnold  L.  Foye,  Palermo,  hosp.  attendant; 
Henry  S.  Jewett,  Westbrook,  postmaster;  Fairfield  S.  McKenney,  Clinton, 
teamster;  Sumner  Merrill,  Winslow,  battery  A,  4th  U.  S. ; Charles  E.  Rams- 
dell,  Pittston,  and  Ivory  D.  White,  Canaan,  prov.  guard;  Orrin  F.  Stinson, 
Albion,  div.  h’dqrs;  James  M.  Tyler,  Albion,  battery  B,  ist  R.  I.;  Bradley 
B.  Withee,  Winslow,  cook,  brig,  h’dqrs;  Wagoner  William  G.  Stratton, 
Albion,  teamster  div.  h’dqrs;  John  Withee,  Winslow,  cattle  guard. 

Company  I. 

Captain,  George  D.  Smith,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edgar  A.  Burpee,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  R.  Palmer,  Camden. 

SERGEANTS. 

William  E.  Barrows,  Rockland,  acting  First  Sergeant. 

Joseph  L.  Clark,  Rockland,  Chandler  F.  Perry,  South  Thomaston. 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


305 


Lafayette  Carver,  Vinalhaven, 

Rufus  Shibbles,  2d,  Camden, 

John  Vinal,  Vinalhaven, 

Orrin  T.  Conway,  Vinalhaven. 

Anderson,  Edwin,  Camden, 

Bowley,  Harrison  B.,  Camden, 

Calph,  John,  Appleton, 

Carver,  Francis  S.,  Vinalhaven, 

Clark,  Luther,  Rockland, 

Dodge,  Adrian  C.,  Rockland, 
Famham,  Samuel,  Whitefield, 
Higgins,  John  H.,  Camden, 

Joice,  Harvey  C.,  Camden, 

Little,  Thomas,  Bremen, 

Maddocks,  Joseph  G.,  So.  Thomaston, 
Mills,  James  P.,  Vinalhaven, 

Oxton,  Amos  B.,  Camden, 

Shepherd,  George  W.,  Camden, 
Thorndike,  Warren  B.,  Camden, 
Vinal,  Calvin  B.,  Vinalhaven, 

Wilson,  Joseph  W.,  Camden, 

Musician:  Alexander  Dumphe, 


Daniel  G.  Lamb,  Camden, 

George  E.  Holmes,  Rockland, 
George  W.  Barter,  Boothbay, 

PRIVATES. 

Black,  Gorham  L.,  Rockland, 
Butler,  Caleb  P.,  Appleton, 

Carey,  John  F.,  Camden, 

Clapp,  Hiram,  Appleton, 

Cobb,  George  S.,  Camden, 

Dyer,  Alden  W.,  South  Thomaston, 
Fisk,  Franklin,  Camden, 

Hutchings,  Zuinglous,  Appleton, 
Little,  Otis,  Bremen, 

Little,  William  H.,  Jr.,  Bremen, 
McIntosh  James  H.,  Vinalhaven, 
Norton,  Joseph  H.,  Vinalhaven, 
Rhoades,  Francis  W.,  Bremen, 
Sherwood,  George  E.,  Camden, 
Turner,  George  S.,  Bremen, 

Vinal,  Worster  S.,  Vinalhaven, 
Witherspoon,  Alpheus  L.,  Camden. 
Vinalhaven. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  George  Studley, 
Camden,  prov.  guard.  Privates:  John  H.  Cables,  Rockland,  and  Edwin  S. 
Jacobs,  Appleton,  prov.  guard;  Reuben  T.  Carver,  Vinalhaven,  div.  h’dqrs; 
William  W.  Kittridge,  Vinalhaven,  Hazzard’s  batt’y;  William  N.  Rackliff, 
Rockland,  amb.  corps;  Solomon  Taylor,  Rockland,  brig,  h’dqrs;  David Tol- 
man,  Camden,  teamster  brig,  h’dqrs;  Wagoner  Hiram  Whitten,  Rockland, 
teamster  brig,  h’dqrs. 


Company  K. 

Captain,  Dumont  Bunker,  Fairfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  Richard  Crockett,  Brunswick. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel  E.  Bucknam,  Eastport. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  James  N.  Hinkley,  Georgetown, 

George  L.  Grant,  Phippsburg,  William  Boynton,  Jr.,  Bath, 

Thomas  P.  Beath,  Boothbay,  George  E.  Grows,  Brunswick. 

CORPORALS. 

Edwin  W.  Swett,  Arrowsic,  Samuel  Pratt,  Jr.,  Richmond, 

Weld  Sargent,  Boothbay,  Warren  Proctor,  Brunswick, 

Stephen  P.  Trafton,  Georgetown,  Joseph  W.  Winter,  West  Bath, 
George  W.  Cushman,  Brunswick. 

PRIVATES. 

Blaisdell,  Richard  M.,  Phippsburg,  Blake,  Edwin,  Bath, 

Boyd,  Abijah  P.,  Boothbay,  Brown,  George  H.,  Bath, 

Child,  Thomas,  Bath,  Dolloff,  Beniah  P.,  Boothbay, 

Dunton,  Ezekiel  L.,  Westport,  Eaton,  George  T.,  Bath, 


306 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Elliot,  Henry  H.,  Bath, 

Francis,  Nelson,  Arrowsic, 

Jellison,  Alvah,  Kennebunk, 
Knights,  James  H.,  Bangor, 
Lombard,  David  C.,  West  Bath, 
Marr,  Calvin  E.,  Georgetown, 
McFarland,  Nathaniel  C.,  Boothbay, 
Mitchell,  Edward  T.,  Bath, 

Mitchell,  Jesse,  Bath, 

Nichols,  Oliver  P.,  Phippsburg, 
Rourke,  Lawrence  J.,  Bath, 

Scott,  Thomas  E.,  Georgetown, 
Swasey,  John  J.,  Bath, 

Varell,  Gilman  N.,  Rye,  N.  H., 
Webber,  Isaac,  Jr.,  Boothbay, 


Fogler,  George  P.,  Boothbay, 
Heal,  James  T.,  Phippsburg, 
Kimball,  George  A.,  Bath, 
Lewis,  James  H.,  Brunswick, 
Lowe,  Charles  M.,  Bath, 
McAvoy,  Charles  E.,  Bath, 
McKenney,  William,  Westport, 
Mitchell,  Isaac  W.,  Bath, 
Mitchell,  Simmons  A.,  Bath, 
Oliver,  Loring  C.,  Phippsburg, 
Sawyer,  Addison,  Bath, 

Shea,  Samuel  B.,  Georgetown, 
Tobie,  Philander  H.,  Bath, 
Wallace,  James  R.,  Phippsburg, 
Webster,  Lorenzo,  Boothbay, 
Willis,  William  T.,  Arrowsic. 


Williams,  Henry  N.,  Richmond, 

Musician:  Alpheus  M.  Holbrook,  West  Bath. 

Wagoner:  Charles  T.  Clifford,  Bath. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Charles  Black- 
man, Bath,  and  Horace  A.  Little,  Bath,  guard  div.  h’dqrs;  Robert  B.  Blais- 
dell,  Phippsburg,  teamster  amm’n  train;  Edward  B.  Curtis,  Bath,  battery  I, 
ist  R.  I.;  Ezra  L.  Fowles,  Westport,  battery  B,  ist  R.  I.;  Josiah  B.  Rogers, 
Phippsburg,  artillery  h’dqrs. 


From  consolidated,  regimental,  morning  report,  June  30,  1863: — 
Present  for  duty,  33  officers,  510  men.  Present  sick,  1 officer,  31  men. 
On  daily  duty  and  detached  service,  1 officer,  88  men. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

FIELD,  staff  and  non-commissioned  staff. 

Colonel  Francis  E.  Heath,  wounded,  shoulder. 

Major  James  W.  Welch,  wounded,  scalp. 

Sergeant-Major  George  A.  Wadsworth,  wounded,  head. 

Company  A. 

Sergeant  Charles  H.  Colburn,  wounded,  leg. 

CORPORALS. 

Payson  T.  Heald,  wounded,  arm;  died  Aug.  5,  1863. 

Gardiner  W.  Bigelow,  wounded,  arm.  Abner  Baker,  w’d,  breast;  died  Aug.  6. 

PRIVATES. 

Buker,  William  F.,  wounded,  hands.  Charles,  Benjamin  F.,  wounded,  leg. 
Church,  John  P.,  wounded,  arm.  Collins,  Charles  W.,  killed. 

Kennison,  Andrew,  w’d,  leg  amp’d.  Leavitt,  Samuel,  wounded,  shoulder. 
Murphy,  William  B.,  wounded,  leg.  Vigue,  Louis,  wounded. 

Company  B. 

First  Lieutenant  Elisha  W.  Ellis,  wounded,  side;  returned  in  October. 

SERGEANTS. 

Benjamin  S.  Crooker,  wounded,  head. 


Edwin  A.  Howes,  killed. 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


307 


CORPORALS. 

William  Briggs,  wounded,  ankle.  Abial  Turner,  wounded,  side. 

Alvin  H.  Ellis,  wounded,  thigh. 

PRIVATES. 

Bennett,  Ira  Z.  (battery),  killed.  Chapman,  George  F.,  w’d,  arm,  side. 
Coffin,  Frank,  w’d,  thigh,  died  July  14.  Crummett,  Orson  E.,  wounded,  head. 
Curtis,  Watson,  wounded,  hand.  Curtis,  William  H.,  wounded,  side. 
Flagg,  Job  P., w’d, breast;  died  Dec.  19.  Hardy,  Willard  R.,  wounded,  hands. 
Hills,  Isaac,  wounded,  thigh.  Hubbard,  William,  wounded,  head. 

Larrabee,  Moses,  Jr.,  wounded.  Noyes,  Eli,  missing;  fate  unknown. 
Rand,  Marshall  H.,  wounded.  Whitney,  Mark  L.,  wounded,  leg. 

Company  C. 

Second  Lieutenant  Francis  H.  Foss,  wounded,  neck. 

SERGEANTS. 

istSergt.  George  Dunbar,  w’d,  elbow.  Henry  W.  Nye,  w’d,  head,  shoulder. 
Alexander  W.  Lord,  killed.  William  H.  Emery,  wounded,  head. 

CORPORALS. 

Lindley  H.  Whittaker,  wounded.  Christopher  Erskine,  killed. 

Gustavus  L.  Thompson,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Adams,  John  B., w’d, hip  and  shoulder.  Blethen,  James  L.,  w’d,  head  and  arm. 
Call,  Frederick  S.,  w’d;  died  Aug.  25.  Crosby,  Abijah,  w’d;  died  July  8. 
Emery,  Henry,  wrounded,  foot.  Gilman,  Lorenzo  D.,  wounded,  knee. 

Haskell,  Joseph  E.,  wounded,  leg.  Hodgdon,  Geo.  E.,  w’d;  died  Aug.  24. 
Jones,  Charles  W.,  wounded,  head.  Lewis,  Jonathan,  wounded,  elbow. 
Maxim,  Sullivan  A.,  wounded,  leg.  Pratt,  Elbridge  P.,  killed. 

Shaw,  Johnson,  w’d,  foot  amputated.  Spaulding,  William,  wounded,  arm. 
Webb,  Reuben  R.,  wounded,  thigh.  Woodward,  Joseph  G.,  killed. 

Company  D. 

First  Lieutenant  Edward  R.  Cunningham,  wounded,  breast. 

Second  Lieutenant  Leroy  S.  Scott,  wounded  July  2;  died  July  13. 

Sergeant  George  L.  Starkey,  wounded  July  2,  leg  amputated. 

CORPORALS. 

Robert  T.  Newell,  w’d;  died  July  9.  Jesse  A.  Wilson,  w’d;  died  July  3. 
Francis  C.  Wood,  wounded,  arm.  Alfred  P.  Waterman,  wounded  July  2; 

died  July  4. 

PRIVATES. 

Brown,  James  C.,  wounded,  leg.  Byard,  Henry  D.,  w’d,  leg,  July  2. 
Clements,  Charles  H.,  w’d  July  2.  Cunningham,  Alden,  killed. 

Dean,  Horace,  wounded.  Haire,  Roswell,  w’d;  died  July  4. 

Hamilton,  Charles  R.,  w’d,  face,  arm.  Hartshorn,  Henry  H.,  w’d  July  3. 
Hoffses, Lorenzo  W.,  pr.  gd.,w’d,  legs.  Kelley,  Louira  A.,  act’gCorp’l,  killed. 
Lear,  Benjamin  O.,  w’d,  arm,  July  2.  Lenfest,  James,  wounded,  leg,  July  3. 
Merriam,  John,  act’g  Corporal,  w’d;  Murch,  Charles  A.,  wounded,  leg. 

died  Aug.  25.  Robbins,  James,  killed,  July  3. 

Thomas,  Hushai  C.,  w’d;  died  July  21.  Tufts,  George  F.,  w’d,  arm  and  leg. 

Company  E. 

SERGEANTS. 

istSergt.  James  H.  Pierce,  w’d,  side.  Enoch  C.  Dow,  killed. 


308 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


CORPORALS. 

Frank  A.  Patterson,  wounded,  leg.  Nahum  Downs,  w’d,  leg;  died  July  18. 
Collins  McCarty,  Jr.,  w’d,  armamp’d. 

PRIVATES. 

Atwood,  John  R.,  wounded,  leg.  Colson,  William  J.,  wounded,  leg. 
Cookson,  Joseph  G.,  wounded,  hand.  Dearborn,  Leonard,  wounded,  hand. 
Harriman,  Chas.  E.,  w’d;  died  July  io.  Keene,  John  F.,  wounded,  arm. 

Low,  William  H.,  killed.  Moore,  James  S.,  wounded. 

Nickerson,  Fred  A.,  wounded,  hand.  Nickerson,  John  E.,  wounded,  leg. 
Nickerson,  Reuel,  w’d;  died  July  18.  Sheldon,  Edward  B.,  w’d,  arm  amp’d. 
Waterhouse,  Fred  L.,  wounded,  leg. 

Company  F. 

Captain  Isaac  W.  Starbird,  flesh  wound. 

First  Lieutenant  Charles  E.  Nash,  wounded,  leg. 

Second  Lieutenant  Edwin  H.  Rich,  wounded,  leg. 

First  Sergeant  Thomas  P.  Rideout,  wounded;  died  July  18. 

PRIVATES. 

Dunnell,  Edwin  L.,  wounded.  Grover,  Alford,  wounded,  thigh. 

Keen,  Calvin  B.,  wounded.  Shorey,  William  H.,  w’d;  died  July  4. 

Small,  William  S.,  wounded,  arm.  Tobey,  Joseph  A.,  wounded,  face. 
White,  George  O.,  wounded,  shoulder. 

Musician:  Lauriston  Chamberlain,  wounded,  back. 

Company  G. 

Second  Lieutenant  Henry  Sewall,  wounded,  face. 

SERGEANTS. 

Albert  N.  Williams,  killed.  Edward  H.  Hicks,  w’d,  arm  and  groin. 

CORPORALS. 

George  L.  Perkins,  killed.  George  W.  Andrews,  w’d,  missing; 

Stephen  P.  McKenney,  w’d,  hands.  supposed  dead. 

PRIVATES. 

Carroll,  Charles  J.,  w’d;  died  July  10.  Hussey,  George  A.,  wounded,  hip. 
Jackman,  William  H.,  wounded,  side.  Jones,  Amos,  wounded,  arm. 
Leighton,  Hampton  W.,  w’d,  arm.  Moody,  Isaac,  wounded. 

Murray,  Winthrop,  wounded,  head.  Small,  William  B.,  wounded,  shoulder. 
Smart,  Orren  P.,  wounded,  breast.  Tyler,  Elias,  wounded;  died  July  15. 

Company  H. 

Captain  Willard  Lincoln,  wounded,  head. 

First  Lieutenant  Albert  Hunter,  wounded,  throat. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant  John  F.  Stackpole,  killed. 

Jesse  A.  Dorman,  w’d;  died  July  6.  Charles  P.  Garland,  wounded,  leg. 
George  E.  Webber,  w’d;  died  July  7.  James  T.  Waldron,  wounded,  thigh. 

corporals. 

Francis  P.  Furber,  wounded,  mouth.  Hollis  F.  Arnold,  killed. 

George  H.  Willey,  killed.  Samuel  C.  Brookings,  killed. 

PRIVATES. 

Abbott,  Daniel  B.,  w’d,  arm  and  side.  Carr,  Rinaldo  A.,  wounded,  thigh. 
Coro,  Joseph,  wounded,  arm  and  side.  Dodge, Martin  V.  B.,  w’d, arm  and  side. 
Estes,  John  H.,  wounded,  leg;  missing.  Estes,  Redford  M.,  wounded,  leg. 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  CASUALTIES. 


309 


Gerald,  William  F.,  wounded,  thigh. 
Hamlin,  Charles  L.,  wounded,  leg. 
Leonard,  William,  wounded,  leg. 
Martin,  Reuben  D.,  wounded,  hip. 
Taylor,  William,  killed. 

Wheeler,  George  E.,  wounded,  legs. 
Wyman,  James,  killed. 


Goodridge,  Drew,  wounded,  leg. 
James,  Josephus,  w’d;  leg  amp’d. 
Libby,  Charles  H.,  wounded,  leg. 
Richardson,  Luke  T.,  wounded,  side. 
Washburn,  Augustus,  w’d;  arm  amp’d. 
Wood,  William  F.,  wounded,  leg. 
Young,  Benjamin,  wounded,  neck. 


Company  I. 

Captain  George  D.  Smith,  killed. 


SERGEANTS. 

William  E.  Barrows,  killed.  Chandler  F.  Perry,  killed. 

CORPORALS. 

Daniel  G.  Lamb,  wounded.  Rufus  Shibbles,  2d,  wounded,  hand. 

George  E.  Holmes,  wounded,  head.  John  Vinal,  wounded,  hand. 

George  W.  Barter,  wounded.  Orrin  T.  Conway,  w’d,  leg;  died  Sept  1. 

PRIVATES. 

Black,  Gorham  L.,  wounded.  Carey,  John  F.,  killed. 

Clapp,  Hiram,  wounded.  Clark,  Luther,  wounded. 

Dodge,  Adrian  C.,  wounded,  cheek.  Dyer,  Alden  W.,  wounded,  shoulder. 
Jacobs,  EdwinS.,  prov.  g’d,w’d,  head.  Little,  Thomas,  wounded,  leg. 
Maddocks,  Joseph  G.,  wounded,  arm.  Mills,  James  P.,  wounded,  leg. 
Norton,  Joseph  H.,  wounded.  Oxton,  Amos  B.,  wounded,  hand. 

Rhoades,  Francis  W.,  killed.  Turner,  George  S.,  w’d;  died  July  19. 

Wilson,  Joseph  W.,  killed. 

Company  K. 

Second  Lieutenant  Samuel  E.  Bucknam,  wounded,  leg. 


SERGEANTS. 

George  L.  Grant,  w’d;  died  Nov.  5.  William  Boynton,  Jr.,  killed. 


CORPORALS. 

Weld  Sargent,  wounded,  arm.  Warren  Proctor,  wounded,  groin. 

Stephen  P.  Trafton,  wounded,  leg. 

PRIVATES. 


Blaisdell,  Richard  M.,  wounded,  leg. 
Dunton,  Ezekiel  L.,  wounded,  leg. 
Francis,  Nelson,  killed. 

Jellison,  Alvah,  wounded,  thigh. 
Lewis,  James  H.,  killed. 

Lowe,  Charles  M.,  killed. 

McAvoy,  Charles  E.,  killed. 

Mitchell,  Isaac  W.,  wounded,  hand. 
Mitchell,  Simmons  A.,  w’d,  back. 
Oliver,  Loring  C.,  w’d;  died  July  20. 
Scott,  Thomas  E.,  w’d,  leg  amp’d. 
Varell,  Gilman  N.,  wounded,  legs. 
Williams,  Henry  N.,  w’d;  died  July  i 


Blake,  Edwin,  wounded,  hand. 

Fogler,  George  P.,  killed. 

Heal,  James  T.,  w’d;  died  July  8. 
Kimball,  George  A,  wounded,  foot. 
Lombard,  David  C.,  w’d;  arm  amp’d. 
Marr,  Calvin  E.,  wounded,  foot. 
McKenney,  William,  w’d,  breast. 
Mitchell,  Jesse,  wounded,  shoulder. 
Nichols,  Oliver  P.,  killed. 

Sawyer,  Addison,  wounded,  hand. 
Shea,  Samuel  B.,  w’d;  died  July  20. 
Webster,  Lorenzo,  wounded. 


310 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Summary  of  Casualties . 

Killed  and  Mortally  Wounded:  Officers,  company  D i,  company 
1 1;  enlisted  men,  A 3,  B 4,  C 8,  D 9,  E 5,  F 2,  G 4,  H 8,  I 7,  K 12.  Total,  2 
officers,  62  enlisted  men. 

Wounded,  not  Mortally:  Officers,  field  and  staff  2,  B 1,  C 1,  D 1,  F 
3,  G 1,  H 2,  K 1;  enlisted  men,  non-commissioned  staff  1,  A 9,  B 14,  C 15,  D 
13,  E 13,  F 7,  G 11,  H 21,  I 16,  K 18.  Total,  12  officers,  138  enlisted  men  (of 
these  1 of  G and  1 of  H missing,  supposed  dead).  Missing,  B 1.  Aggregate 
loss,  215. 

The  foregoing  casualties  were  compiled  from  lists  that  were 
furnished  to  newspapers  at  the  time  by  Capt.  Charles  E.  Nash 
and  Lieut.  Loring  Farr,  from  the  printed  Adjutant-General’s 
Reports,  and  from  other  records  in  the  office  of  the  Adjutant- 
General  of  Maine. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

COMPILED  BY  OFFICERS  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 

This  regiment  was  made  up  from  men  enlisted  in  Kennebec, 
Somerset,  Knox,  Waldo  and  Sagadahoc  counties.  The  various 
companies  arrived  at  Bath,  where  the  regiment  was  organized, 
early  in  August,  1862.  It  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  on  the  25th  of  that  month.  The  original  organization 
was  as  follows  : 

FIELD,  STAFF,  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Frederick  D.  Sewall,  Bath. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Francis  E.  Heath,  Waterville. 

Major,  Henry  W.  Cunningham,  Belfast. 

Adjutant,  Frank  W.  Haskell,  Waterville. 

Quartermaster,  James  W.  Wakefield,  Bath. 

Surgeon,  Adoniram  J.  Billings,  Freedom. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Henry  C.  Levensaler,  Thomaston. 

Chaplain,  Eliphalet  Whittlesey,  Brunswick. 

Sergeant-Major,  William  P.  Joy,  Ellsworth. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Benjamin  D.  Hanson,  Pittston. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Thomas  D.  Wakefield,  Bath. 

Hospital  Steward,  Delon  W.  Abbott,  Orono. 

First  Principal  Musician,  Daniel  R.  Maddocks,  Belfast. 

Second  Principal  Musician,  Carter  N.  Payson,  Camden. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  James  W.  Hathaway,  Mercer. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  W.  Spaulding,  Richmond. 

Second  Lieutenant,  David  E.  Parsons,  Norridgewock. 


311 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  Lindley  M.  Coleman,  Lincolnville. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  Clements,  Monroe. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Levi  Rackliff,  Lincolnville. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  George  H.  Rowell,  Fairfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  H.  Hunt,  Unity. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Francis  M.  Ames,  Fairfield. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  William  H.  Fogler,  Belfast. 

First  Lieutenant,  Horace  C.  Noyes,  Belfast. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Edward  R.  Cunningham,  Belfast. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  Daniel  L.  Dickey,  Stockton. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  Johnson,  Searsport. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  S.  Tapley,  Frankfort. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  Isaac  W.  Starbird,  Litchfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  L.  Whitmore,  Bowdoinham. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  E.  Nash,  Hallowed. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  James  W.  Welch,  Augusta. 

First  Lieutenant,  Everett  M.  Whitehouse,  China. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  C.  Hopkins,  Mount  Vernon. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  Joseph  Eaton,  Jr.,  Winslow. 

First  Lieutenant,  Willard  Lincoln,  China. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Albert  Hunter,  Clinton. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Edward  A.  Snow,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Gershom  F.  Burgess,  Camden. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  D.  Smith,  Rockland.  . 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Charles  S.  Larrabee,  Bath. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  Nichols,  Phippsburg. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Dumont  Bunker,  Fairfield. 

Colonel  Sewall  had  previously  been  A.  A.  G.  on  the  staff 
of  Brig. -Gen.  O.  O.  Howard.  Lieut. -Col.  Heath  was  promoted 
from  Captain  in  the  Third  Maine  regiment,  having  served  with 
that  organization  from  its  formation.  Maj.  H.  W.  Cunning- 
ham had  also  been  a Captain  in  the  Fourth  Maine  regiment. 
F.  W.  Haskell,  Adjutant,  had  previously  been  a member  of  the 
Third  Maine. 

The  regiment  left  Bath  August  27,  1862  ; reached  Wash- 
ington on  the  afternoon  of  the  29th  ; the  next  day,  after  march- 
ing into  Virginia,  was  ordered  to  recross  the  Potomac  and  gar- 
rison some  forts  on  the  Eastern  Branch.  While  performing 
this  duty  the  several  companies  were  instructed  in  artillery 
drill.  On  the  30th  of  September  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Harper’s  Ferry,  where  it  was  assigned  to  the  First  brigade, 
Second  division,  Second  army  corps.  During  October  the  army 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Harper’s  Ferry;  on  the  30th  it  took 
up  its  march  in  the  direction  of  Warrenton,  the  Second  corps 


312 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


reaching  that  place  November  9th.  Here  General  McClellan  was 
relieved  from  his  command  and  Burnside  took  his  place.  On 
the  15th  the  regiment  left  Warrenton  and  with  the  corps  marched 
towards  Fredericksburg,  arriving  near  Falmouth  on  the  17th. 
Owing  to  the  lack  of  bridge  material,  inclination  or  incapacity, 
the  army  did  not  cross  the  Rappahannock  at  this  time,  but 
remained  on  the  left  bank  until  well  into  December,  thus  giving 
the  enemy  time  to  concentrate  his  force  in  the  vicinity  of  Fred- 
ericksburg. From  November  20th  to  December  5th  the  regi- 
ment  was  engaged  in  keeping  the  road  from  Belle  Plaine  to 
Falmouth  passable  ; this  road  being  the  one  over  which  the  army 
drew  its  supplies  at  this  time.  While  returning  from  this  duty 
to  its  proper  place  in  the  corps  the  regiment  marched  in  a very 
cold  rain  which  turned  to  snow  in  the  afternoon.  Eveiy  one 
lay  down  that  night  wet  through,  with  little  or  no  shelter ; this 
exposure  killed  more  men  of  this  regiment  than  any  battle  it 
ever  engaged  in. 

On  the  1 1th  of  December  the  army  had  orders  to  cross  the 
river.  After  wasting  a long  time  in  attempting  to  lay  a pontoon 
bridge  at  Falmouth,  an  attempt  was  made  by  Colonel  Hall  of 
the  Third  brigade  to  cross  in  boats.  This  attempt  succeeded, 
and  the  division  crossed  that  evening,  the  Third  and  Second 
brigades  doing;  the  murderous  street-fighting,  and  driving  the 
enemy  out  of  the  city.  About  noon  on  the  13th  the  First  brig- 
ade was  ordered  to  the  front,  the  Nineteenth  being  on  the  right. 
The  brigade  was  formed  in  column  of  battalions,  in  mass,  some 
eight  hundred  yards  in  front  of  Marye’s  Heights.  It  was  under- 
stood that,  the  brigade  was  to  make  a charge  upon  the  enemy  as 
soon  as  another  brigade  formed  in  its  rear  to  support  it ; while 
waiting,  the  First  brigade  was  exposed  to  a severe  shelling,  which 
was  exceedingly  destructive  in  the  four  rear  battalions.  The 
Nineteenth  was  protected  by  a very  slight  rise  of  the  ground  in 
its  front,  which  prevented  any  ricochet-shots  from  striking 
it.  The  brigade  to  support  the  expected  charge  at  last  made  its 
appearance,  and  while  forming  in  rear  of  the  First  brigade  the 
rebel  battery,  which  had  been  shelling  the  latter,  opened  on  the 
newcomers.  The  effect  was  decisive  ; in  five  minutes  not  any 
of  the  supporting  brigade  was  in  sight,  and  the  charge  was  not 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


313 


ordered.  On  the  night  of  the  15th  the  regiment  was  ordered 
back  to  its  old  camp  near  Falmouth,  at  which  time  the  whole 
army  was  withdrawn. 

During  the  " mud  ” campaign  the  regiment  was  not  moved. 
The  winter  was  passed  in  the  usual  duties,  and  the  regiment 
attained  so  high  a degree  of  efficiency  and  discipline  that  it 
was  ranked  among  eleven  regiments  in  the  army  to  which  were 
granted  extra  leaves  of  absence  and  furloughs. 

On  February  21st  Colonel  Sewall  resigned  on  account  of  ill 
health,  and  Lieut. -Col.  Heath  was  promoted  to  be  Colonel. 
On  April  27th  Hooker  commenced  the  movements  which  cul- 
minated in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  The  Second  division 
of  the  Second  corps  did  not  participate  in  these  movements  at 
first.  May  1st,  at  9 p.  m.,  the  regiment  received  orders  to 
guard  the  field  telegraph  line  to  U.  S.  Ford  on  the  Rappahan- 
nock ; on  the  3d  it  was  ordered  to  join  the  brigade  at  Falmouth, 
which  had  been  engaged  in  the  support  of  Sedgwick. 

From  this  time  until  early  in  June  the  army  remained  quiet. 
At  this  time  the  rebel  arm}-  commenced  its  movement  towards 
Pennsylvania,  drawing  Hooker  after  it.  The  Second  corps  was 
the  last  to  leave  the  Rappahannock,  which  it  did  on  June  15th. 
On  its  march  it  passed  the  first  Bull  Run  battlefield,  and  at  mid- 
night of  the  20th  reached  Thoroughfare  Gap,  where  the  regi- 
ment remained  till  the  25th ; on  that  day  the  corps  started  for 
the  Potomac,  crossing  the  same  at  Edward’s  Ferry.  Shortly 
after  leaving  the  Gap  we  ran  into  Stuart’s  cavalry,  which  opened 
fire  upon  the  corps  with  a couple  of  guns ; one  of  our  batteries 
went  into  action,  and  this,  with  the  flankers,  closed  the  disturb- 
ance. The  regiment  had  one  man  killed  in  this  skirmish. 

We  left  Monocacy  on  the  morning  of  the  29th  and  marched 
beyond  Uniontown,  covering  about  thirty  miles.  July  1st  the 
regiment  was  detailed  to  guard  the  corps  train,  but  at  noon  it 
was  relieved  from  this  duty  and  ordered  to  push  on  and  join  its 
brigade.  At  1 o’clock  a.  m.  , July  2d,  it  bivouacked  within  three 
miles  of  Gettysburg ; at  3 o’clock  the  same  morning  it  moved 
for  the  field  of  battle,  going  into  position  near  the  centre  of  the 
Union  line,  south  of  the  " copse  of  trees  ” now  marked  by  the 
High  W ater  Mark  Monument.  Towards  night  it  became  heavily 


314 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


engaged,  losing  about  130  in  killed  and  wounded.  On  the  next 
day  it  participated  in  the  repulse  of  Pickett,  and  its  losses  in  the 
two  days’  fighting  amounted  to  206,  including  four  reported  as 
missing  who  were  undoubtedly  killed,  as  they  were  never  heard 
of  afterwards.  On  and  after  July  4th  Colonel  Heath  com- 
manded the  brigade  and  Lieut. -Col.  Cunningham  the  regiment. 

July  otli,  at  5 p.  M.,  the  regiment  with  the  corps  started  in 
pursuit  of  Lee,  who  had  retreated  towards  Falling  Waters  ; 
nothing  was  accomplished  towards  attacking  Lee,  and  he  was 
allowed  to  cross  the  Potomac  without  more  fighting,  excepting 
some  minor  skirmishes  with  our  cavalry.  The  corps  moved  up 
Loudon  Valley  without  much  haste.  On  the  23d  the  regiment 
marched  through  Manassas  Gap,  and  immediately  retraced  its 
steps,  as  the  rebels  were  not  within  reach.  After  reaching 
Morrisville  on  the  29th  there  was  a quiet  time,  nothing  going 
on  but  ordinary  camp  duties.  September  12th  the  regiment 
moved  to  Rappahannock  Station;  on  the  27th  it  relieved  our 
cavalry  on  a part  of  the  line  of  the  Rapidan,  and  maintained 
an  extensive  picket  line  till  October  8th,  at  which  time  it  was 
removed  to  Culpeper.  Three  hundred  and  forty-two  recruits 
Avere  received  during  September  and  October. 

October  10th  the  regiment  together  with  the  corps  was 
ordered  out  in  great  haste,  and  marched  in  the  direction  of 
Thornton’s  Gap.  For  several  days,  as  well  as  nights,  the 
movement  was  continued,  in  a most  perplexing  way.  Lee  was 
attempting  to  get  in  Meade’s  rear  by  the  right.  On  the  14th 
the  regiment  was  marching  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade  on  the 
right  of  the  corps  ; the  route  was  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
Railroad,  and  towards  Washington.  About  2 p.  m.  it  arrived 
at  Bristoe  Station  on  Broad  Run  ; at  this  point  the  enemy  made 
their  appearance,  and  an  attack  was  made  on  the  Second  corps. 
This  was  repulsed  in  fine  style,  the  rebels  losing  five  guns  and 
two  colors,  one  of  which,  of  a North  Carolina  regiment,  was 
taken  by  the  Nineteenth.  In  this  engagement  the  regiment 
was  under  command  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Cunningham,  Colonel 
Heath  being  in  command  of  the  brigade.  The  loss  in  the  regi- 
ment was  one  killed  and  twelve  wounded.  The  small  number 
of  casualties  was  doubtless  owing  to  the  railroad  embankment, 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


315 


behind  which  the  regiment  did  most  of  its  fighting..  As  soon 
as  darkness  would  permit,  the  march  was  continued  towards 
Centreville,  that  point  being  reached  about  midnight.  After 
a day  or  two  the  regiment  moved  back  to  Bristoe,  and  thence 
to  Warrenton,  arriving  there  the  20th.  November  7th  it 
moved  to  Kelly’s  Ford,  crossing  the  river  on  the  9th. 

On  the  26th  of  November  it  joined  in  the  movement  to  Mine 
Run  : it  was  engaged  in  this  attempt  to  fight  Lee  on  equal  terms 
until  the  withdrawal  of  the  army  to  its  former  line.  The  loss 
in  this  demonstration  was  one  wounded. 

During  the  winter  the  regiment  encamped  near  Culpeper. 
Lieut. -Col.  Selden  Connor,  of  the  Seventh  Maine,  was  promoted 
to  be  Colonel  of  the  Nineteenth,  joining  the  regiment  in  Feb- 
ruary, Colonel  Heath  having  resigned  by  reason  of  ill  health. 
On  February  6th  the  Second  corps  made  a reconnaissance 
to  Morton’s  Ford,  in  which  the  Nineteenth  participated,  and 
returned  to  its  camp  on  the  night  of  the  7th.  Two  men  were 
wounded  during  the  movement. 

The  regiment  remained  in  camp  till  the  opening  of  the  Wil- 
derness campaign.  At  daybreak  May  4th  it  crossed  the  Rapidan 
at  Ely’s  Ford ; May  6th  it  was  engaged  with  the  enemy,  losing 
heavily.  In  this  fight  Colonel  Connor  was  wounded  in  the 
thigh,  resulting  in  disability  from  further  service.  For  his 
gallant  conduct  he  was  promoted  to  Brigadier-General. 

On  May  8th  the  regiment  marched  towards  Spotsylvania ; 
on  the  9th  it  did  some  skirmishing  at  Po  River ; May  10th  it 
formed  part  of  column  which  made  two  assaults  on  the  enemy’s 
works  ; on  the  12th  it  was  engaged  in  the  assault  made  by  the 
Second  corps.  Major  Welch,  who  was  in  command  of  the  reg- 
iment, was  severely  wounded  in  this  engagement  (a).  On  the 
18th  it  was  engaged  in  another  attack  ; May  21st  the  regiment, 
Lieut. -Col.  Cunningham  in  command,  moved  towards  the  North 
Anna,  arriving  there  in  the  afternoon  of  the  23d ; it  crossed 
the  river  on  the  24th  and  again  engaged  the  enemy.  May  27th 
the  regiment  marched  to  Pamunkey  River  ; the  30th  moved  to  the 
Totopotomy ; the  31st  it  was  under  fire  near  Bethesda  Church. 

(a)  Major  Welch  captured  and  took  off  the  field,  colors  of  the  33d  Va.— See  official 
report,  A.  G.  R.  Maine,  1864-5,  Vol.  1,  page  279. 


316 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


June  1st  the  regiment  was  engaged  again,  and  Captain 
Fogler,  who  commanded  it,  was  wounded ; on  the  2d  it  reached 
Cold  Harbor,  and  on  the  3d  participated  in  the  sanguinary  and 
fruitless  assault  upon  the  enemy’s  strong  works. 

On  the  11th  it  marched  for  the  Janies  River.  From  the 
opening  of  the  campaign  to  this  time  the  casualties  in  the  regi- 
ment were  298.  Lieut. -Col.  Cunningham  had  resigned,  and 
the  regiment  was  now  in  command  of  Capt.  Charles  E.  Nash. 
June  15th  it  arrived  near  Petersburg,  having  crossed  James 
River  the  previous  day  ; on  the  18th  it  was  attached  temporarily 
to  the  Third  division,  and  placed  on  the  right  of  the  assaulting 
column ; on  the  20th  it  was  relieved  from  duty  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  and  with  the  corps  moved  several  miles  to  the  left . 

June  22d,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  J.  W.  Spaulding,  it 
was  again  engaged  ; owing  to  the  troops  on  its  left  being  out- 
flanked, and  retreating,  it  lost  heavily  in  killed,  wounded  and 
prisoners.  July  26th  it  marched  for  Deep  Bottom,  and  was 
engaged  at  that  point  on  the  27th  ; on  the  29th  it  recrossed  the 
James,  and  on  the  night  of  the  30th  reached  its  old  camp. 

The  regiment  had  crossed  the  Rapidan,  the  4th  of  May,  with 
490  enlisted  men  and  officers,  and  had  been  joined  by  57  men, 
in  the  field,  from  the  Fourth  Maine  regiment ; it  now  numbered 
scarcely  150  enlisted  men,  present  for  duty,  so  great  had  been 
the  losses  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  and  from  other 
casualties.  It  remained  in  this  position  until  August  12th, 
when,  without  previous  orders,  it  suddenly  broke  camp  and, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Spaulding,  marched  to  City 
Point  with  the  Second  corps.  Towards  night  of  the  13th  it 
went  on  board  transports,  which  dropped  down  the  river  a few 
miles  and  lay  at  anchor  until  in  the  night,  when  they  returned 
and  steamed  up  river  to  Strawberry  Plains,  where  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  14th  it  disembarked  and  marched  to  Deep 
Bottom ; after  considerable  delay  it  formed  line  of  battle  along 
Bailey’s  Creek  at  right  angles  to  the  river,  the  Tenth  corps  on 
the  left.  The  Nineteenth  formed  the  extreme  right  of  the 
Second  corps,  reaching  to  Fassett’s  mill,  with  Gregg’s  cavalry 
division  on  the  right  flank.  General  Barlow,  who  was  to  make 
the  attack,  as  he  was  desirous  of  winning  promotion,  had  been 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


317 


placed  in  command  of  the  First  and  Second  divisions  of  the 
Second  corps.  He  had  succeeded  in  getting  only  the  extreme 
right,  brigade  in  position  when  the  attack  was  ordered.  The 
line  was  formed  just  back  of  the  crest  of  a ridge ; in  front  was 
a deep  ravine,  through  which  flowed  the  creek  below  the  mill. 
The  enemy  was  posted  in  rifle-pits  on  the  opposite  crest. 
Colonel  Many,  a brave  officer  of  the  20th  Mass.,  who  com- 
manded the  brigade,  remaining  on  his  horse  on  ground  where 
no  officer  could  go  mounted,  was  soon  injured  by  the  stumbling 
of  his  horse  and  taken  to  the  rear.  The  command  to  charge 
having  been  given,  the  brigade  advanced  double-quick ; the 
left  soon  entered  a heavy  timber,  the  right  moving  over  the 
crest,  down  the  open  bluff,  across  the  creek,  where  it  was 
obstructed  by  a thicket  of  underbrush  so  dense  that  a single 
man  could  not  penetrate  without  difficulty.  The  only  opening 
through  this  thicket  was  a narrow  cart-road ; the  regiment 
halted  immediately  under  the  rifle-pits  of  the  enemy,  where  it 
remained  until  after  dark ; not  receiving  any  communication 
from  general  or  staff  officers,  and  finding  itself  deserted  by  the 
troops  on  its  left,  without  orders  it  withdrew  by  the  right 
flank  across  the  mill-dam  and  joined  its  division  in  the  rear. 
On  the  18th  it  was  under  a severe  artillery  fire  when  two  attacks 
were  made  by  the  enemy  on  our  line.  That  night  it  moved  to 
the  extreme  left  of  our  line,  and  in  the  night  of  the  20th  com- 
menced its  return  march  to  the  old  camp  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, where  it  arrived  early  in  the  morning  of  the  21st.  Gen. 
Francis  A.  Walker,  in  his  History  of  the  Second  Army  Corps, 
and,  following  him,  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys,  have  severely 
criticised  the  troops  of  the  two  divisions  under  command  of 
General  Barlow  for  their  lack  of  spirit  in  this  attack.  These 
writers,  who  were  in  error  even  in  regard  to  the  brigade  and 
division  engaged,  probably  obtained  their  data  from  a distance, 
and  evidently  knew  nothing  of  the  conduct  of  the  troops  which 
they  criticised.  The  regiment  in  this  expedition  lost  fifteen  in 
killed  and  wounded.  After  remaining  in  camp  a few  hours, 
the  First  division,  Barlow’s,  under  command  of  Gen.  Nelson 
A.  Miles,  and  the  Second  division,  Gibbon’s,  of  the  Second 
corps,  commenced  a movement  to  the  left,  and  on  the  morning 


318 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


of  the  24th  reached  Reams’  Station  on  the  Petersburg  and 
Weldon  Railroad.  Here  it  found  some  rifle-pits  in  the  form 
of  an  irregular  horseshoe,  or  letter  V,  thrown  up  by  the  cavalry 
during  the  June  expedition.  It  was  employed  during  the  day 
in  burning  railroad  sleepers  and  destroying  the  rails.  Next 
morning  the  enemy  commenced  an  attack  and  continued  press- 
ing our  lines  during  the  day.  In  the  afternoon  they  made 
three  charges,  which  were  repulsed ; linally,  after  a terrific 
cannonade,  raking  across  both  wings  in  front  and  reverse,  they 
advanced  on  our  right  and  centre ; the  right  wing  gave  way, 
then  the  centre  ; our  batteries  were  captured  ; a battery  on  the 
right  was  turned  upon  the  rear  of  the  left  wing ; one,  at  the 
junction  of  the  centre  and  left  wing,  was  turned  on  the  flank  of 
the  left  wing.  The  Nineteenth  was  in  the  centre  of  the  left 
wing  and  held  its  position  until  they  were  the  only  troops  on 
the  line  ; then  withdrew  and  formed  the  nucleus  of  a new  line, 
across  the  heel  of  the  horseshoe-shaped  works,  which  had  been 
captured  by  the  enemy.  Several  attempts  had  been  made  dur- 
ing the  engagement,  by  the  general  officers,  to  rally  the  troops 
and  retake  the  part  of  the  works  lost ; but  the  regimental  offi- 
cers and  troops  would  not  respond.  The  men  who  had  repulsed 
Pickett’s  charge  at  Gettysburg,  who  had  repelled  Lee’s  attacks 
in  the  Wilderness,  and  stormed  his  works  at  Spotsylvania,  who 
had  been  hurled  against  his  intrenchments  at  Cold  Harbor,  had 
learned  to  distrust  the  judgment  of  their  superior  officers,  and 
by  a tacit  understanding  with  their  regimental  officers  declined 
any  further  useless  slaughter.  Two  decimated  divisions  had 
been  sent  to  destroy  a few  miles  of  railroad ; after  having 
accomplished  their  mission  they  remained  idle  more  than  twen- 
ty-four hours,  only  four  miles  from  other  troops ; during  all 
this  time  it  was  known  to  all  officers  and  men  that  Hill’s  whole 
corps  was  on  the  march  from  Petersburg  for  their  destruction. 
This  apparent  challenge  for  a fight  was  one  of  the  unaccount- 
able blunders  of  the  war  which  has  never  been  explained ; the 
result  indicated  that  the  troops  should  have  been  withdrawn  on 
the  night  of  the  24th,  or  reinforcements  should  have  been  sent 
to  hold  the  position.  The  commander  of  the  army  of  the  Poto- 
mac and  the  commander  of  the  Second  corps  have  each  placed 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


319 


the  responsibility  upon  the  other.  No  further  attack  was  made 
by  the  enemy,  and  after  dark  the  troops  were  withdrawn.  The 
regiment  lost  twelve,  killed  and  wounded,  and  many  prisoners. 

From  August  26th  to  September  24th  the  regiment  was  in 
the  second  and  rear  lines  of  works  in  front  of  Petersburg. 
September  7th  Captain  Spaulding  left  on  sick  leave,  and  until 
October  21st  the  command  fell  successively  upon  Captain  Par- 
sons and  Colonel  Welch,  the  latter  returning  from  absence  on 
account  of  wounds.  September  24th  it  moved  into  the  front 
line,  and  on  the  30th  took  up  its  position  at  the  right  of  Fort 
Sedgwick  — nicknamed  Fort " Hell,”  — where  it  remained  until 
October  26th.  Colonel  Welch  resigned  October  21st,  and  Major 
Starbird  became  Colonel,  and  was  present  until  winter  quarters. 
October  26th  it  moved  to  the  left,  and  on  the  27th  was  in  the 
engagement  at  Boydton  Plank  Road.  The  losses  were  not  heavy 
in  this  engagement,  but  the  regiment  was  in  a most  trying  posi- 
tion ; upon  the  left  came  shell ; in  front  shell  came  through  a 
pine  wood  ; and  ricochet-shot  from  across  the  open  field  ; can- 
ister was  scattered  over  it  from  the  right,  and  musket  bullets 
came  from  the  rear,  driving  Surgeon  Randall  to  the  line  of 
battle,  — the  only  time  the  writer  ever  knew  a Surgeon  to  ask 
for  a musket.  After  dark  it  withdrew  and  returned  to  the  line 
in  front  of  Petersburg;  on  the  31st  it  occupied  Fort  Haskell. 

The  fifth  company,  unassigned  infantry,  formed  at  Augusta, 
Maine,  October  5,  1864,  joined  the  regiment  October  22d,  with 
three  officers  and  sixty-four  enlisted  men  present  for  duty,  and 
was  consolidated  with  the  companies  of  the  Nineteenth.  The 
three  officers  were  Capt.  Addison  W.  Lewis,  First  Lieut.  Edward 
B.  Sargent,  Second  Lieut.  Charles  Bennett. 

In  the  night  of  November  5th  the  picket  line  to  the  right  of 
Fort  Haskell  was  captured  by  the  enemy,  the  brigade  losing 
thirty-five  men,  about  one-half  of  them  belonging  to  the  Nine- 
teenth. This  was  made  possible  by  the  right  of  the  line  having 
been  established  in  front  of  a mill-pond,  with  no  line  of  retreat 
except  by  the  left  flank ; the  enemy  had  only  to  strike  the  line 
in  the  centre,  cut  off  the  retreat,  move  to  our  right,  and  their 
work  was  done.  November  29th,  in  the  night,  the  regiment 
being  relieved  from  duty  in  Fort  Haskell  moved  to  the  left, 


320 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


near  to  Patrick’s  Station,  the  terminus  of  the  Grant  railroad,  and 
built  winter  quarters.  For  the  first  time  for  two  months  it  was 
out  of  the  reach  of  shot  and  shell.  It  had  been  on  continuous 
duty  in  the  front  line  for  more  than  two  months ; much  of  the 
time  one-half  of  the  men  were  required  for  skirmish,  picket  and 
guard  duty.  All  were  under  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  at 
all  times,  both  day  and  night.  The  losses  in  killed  and  wounded 
during  this  period  were  thirty-four  men  and  officers,  which, 
added  to  the  losses  sustained  at  Strawberry  Plains  and  Reams’ 
Station,  made  a total  loss  of  fifty-nine  in  officers  and  men. 
The  regiment  remained  here  in  the  quarters  it  constructed  until 
the  expedition  to  Hatcher’s  Run. 

During  the  year  1864  the  losses  in  the  Nineteenth  were  : 
killed  and  mortally  wounded,  101  ; wounded,  not  fatally,  299  ; 
prisoners,  133  ; making  total  of  533  out  of  614. 

Early  Sunday  morning,  February  5,  1865,  the  corps  moved 
to  the  left  to  feel  the  enemy’s  right  flank  and  extend  the  lines. 
Near  the  Armstrong  house  General  Smyth  directed  Lieut.  - 
Col.  Spaulding  to  move  the  regiment  by  the  left  flank  out  of  the 
column.  The  regiment  then  advanced  by  itself,  meeting  the 
enemy’s  skirmish  line  at  Hatcher’s  Run  and,  forcing  them  back, 
crossed  the  Run  and  pressed  the  enemy  back  from  two  lines  of 
rifle-pits,  and  held  the  position  until  relieved  by  troops  of  the 
Fifth  corps,  when  it  rejoined  the  brigade.  Three  days  followed 
of  very  severe  weather,  which  occasioned  great  suffering  and  the 
death  of  the  acting  Adjutant,  Lieutenant  Gerrish,  by  disease. 
It  was  most  of  the  time  under  fire.  On  the  11th  the  regiment 
went  into  new  winter  quarters  near  Hatcher’s  Run. 

March  7,  1865,  General  Meade  issued  General  Order  No.  10, 
as  follows : 

" In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  General  Orders  No. 
19  of  1862  from  the  War  Department,  and  in  conformity  with 
the  reports  of  boards  convened  to  examine  into  the  service  ren- 
dered by  the  troops  concerned,  and  by  authority  of  the  Lieu- 
tenant-General commanding  the  armies  of  the  United  States, 
it  is  ordered:  That  there  shall  be  inscribed  upon  the  colors  or 
guidons  of  the  following  regiments  and  batteries  serving  in  the 


NINETEENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


321 


army,  the  names  of  the  battles  in  which  they  have  borne  a mer- 
itorious part,  as  hereinafter  specified,  viz.  : 

"Nineteenth  Maine  Volunteers  : Fredericksburg,  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Gettysburg , Bristoe  Station,  Mine  Run,  Wilder- 
ness, Spotsylvania,  River  Po,  Worth  Anna,  Totopotomy,  Cold 
Harbor,  Petersburg , Deep  Bottom , Strawberry  Plains,  Reams' 
Station,  Boydton  Road.” 

It  appears  from  that  order  that  only  one  other  infantry  reg- 
iment (1st  U.  S.  Sharpshooters)  in  the  army,  during  the  time 
that  this  regiment  had  been  a part  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac, 
had  been  in  a greater  number  of  engagements.  That  regiment 
had  the  names  of  seventeen  battles  upon  its  colors.  But  four 
other  infantry  regiments  (20th  Mass.,  61st  N.  Y.,  57th  Penn., 
7th  Mich.)  had  as  many  as  the  Nineteenth  Maine  during  the 
same  period.  The  order  was  issued  upon  reports  made  prior 
to  the  Hatcher’s  Run  fight  of  February  5th. 

The  final  campaign  began  Wednesday,  March  29,  1865. 
The  Second  corps  moved  out  to  the  left  by  the  Vaughan  Road. 
The  Nineteenth  and  one  other  regiment,  both  under  command 
of  Colonel  Starbird,  advanced  through  the  woods  as  skirmishers 
to  Dabney’s  Mill,  from  which  location  the  enemy  had  hurriedly 
departed.  The  next  day  the  regiment  again  advanced  as  skir- 
mishers to  within  a few  rods  of  the  enemy’s  fort  near  the  Crow 
house,  pushing  the  rebel  skirmishers  all  the  way. 

The  regiment  again  engaged  the  enemy  March  31st,  and  still 
again  Sunday,  April  2d,  when  our  troops  entered  the  enemy’s 
works,  capturing  many  prisoners,  and  started  off  in  pursuit  of 
Lee’s  army  on  the  Cox  Road.  April  3d  Richmond  and  Peters- 
burg were  occupied  by  Federal  troops.  The  regiment  partici- 
pated with  the  corps  during  the  week  in  hot  pursuit  of  Lee’s 
army.  April  7th  the  regiment,  advancing  as  skirmishers,  had 
a sharp  and  spirited  fight  with  the  enemy  at  High  Bridge,  in 
which  Colonel  Starbird  was  again  severely  wounded.  The  enemy 
had  fired  both  the  railroad  bridge  and  wagon  bridge  across  the 
Appomattox  at  this  point,  and  the  regiment  fought  the  enemy 
and  saved  the  traveled  bridge  upon  which  the  two  army  corps 
(Second  and  Sixth)  crossed  that  day  in  close  pursuit  of  the 
enemy.  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys,  who  commanded  the  corps 


322 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


later  in  the  day,  addressing  Lieut. -Col.  Spaulding,  commended 
the  regiment  in  strong  terms.  He  with  General  Barlow,  the 
division  commander,  had  personally  witnessed  the  heroic  fight 
that  the  regiment  made,  and  had  sent  the  gallant  General  Smyth 
with  his  brigade  to  its  support.  General  Smyth,  later  in  the 
day,  gave  his  life  to  his  country. 

The  regiment  again  that  day,  and  for  the  last  time  as  ene- 
mies, met  the  Confederates  near  Farmville  just  at  nightfall. 

On  Sunday,  April  9,  1865,  it  participated  in  the  wild  and 
joyous  excitement  over  the  news  of  Lee’s  surrender,  which  Gen- 
eral Meade  himself  carried  to  the  troops. 

The  return  march  was  begun  two  days  after  the  surrender. 
The  corps  remained  for  about  a month  near  Burkeville ; then 
marched,  passing  through  Richmond  and  along  familiar  routes, 
till  it  approached  Alexandria,  and  went  into  camp  May  15,  1865, 
near  Bailey’s  Cross  Roads.  Tuesday,  May  23d,  it  participated 
in  the  Grand  Review  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  by  the  Pres- 
ident in  Washington. 

On  the  31st  of  May  it  was  mustered  out  of  United  States 
service  by  Capt.  H.  Y.  Russell,  10th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  mustering 
officer  of  the  division. 

The  regiment  left  its  last  camp  early  in  the  morning  of  June  1, 
1865,  for  Maine,  and  was  finally  paid  at  Augusta,  Maine,  June 
7th  and  disbanded.  The  only  commissioned  officers  mustered 
at  Bath  in  August,  1862,  who  were  with  the  regiment  at  the 
final  muster,  were  Lieut. -Col.  Spaulding  and  Major  Parsons, 
and  only  two  more  of  the  original  officers  ( Colonel  Starbird 
and  Captain  Lincoln)  were  still  on  the  rolls  of  the  regiment. 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Nine- 
teenth Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army 
Register,  published  by  the  War  Department  August  31,  1865, 
and  other  reliable  sources. 

Officers  at  Muster-out,  May  31,  1865. 

Colonel:  Isaac  W.  Starbird,  Nov.  16,  1864,  mustered  out  June  7,  1865, 
— brevet  Brig. -General,  March  13,  1865. 


ROSTER  OF  THE  NINETEENTH  REGIMENT. 


323 


Lieutenant-Colonel:  Joseph  W.  Spaulding,  Nov.  16,  1864. 

Major:  David  E.  Parsons,  Nov.  16,  1864. 

Adjutant:  First  Lieut.  Henry  Sewall,  July  18,  1864. 

Captains:  Willard  Lincoln,  Nov.  1,  1862,  mustered  out  June  10,  1865; 
Nehemiah  Smart,  Oct.  27,  1863;  Ansel  L.  White,  Oct.  31,  1864, —brevet 
Major,  April  9,  1865;  Elbridge  C.  Pierce,  Nov.  3,  1864;  Oliver  R.  Small,  Nov. 
16,  1864, — brevet  Major,  March  13,  1865;  Calvin  B.  Hinkley,  Dec.  2,  1864; 
John  A.  Lord,  Jan.  11,  1865;  Thomas  P.  Beath,  Jan.  11,  1865;  Addison  W. 
Lewis,  Oct.  4,  1864,  discharged  June  9,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  Edwin  H.  Rich,  Feb.  28,  1864;  Albert  Hunter, 
Quartermaster,  March  9,  1864;  Charles  P.  Garland,  Sept.  14,  1864;  William 
B.  Sawyer,  Oct.  29,  1864;  George  P.  Wood,  Oct.  29,  1864, — previously  Ser- 
geant, Fourth  Maine;  Alfred  E.  Nickerson,  Dec.  2,  1864;  James  H.  Pierce, 
Dec.  2,  1864;  Beniah  P.  Dolloff,  Jan.  n,  1865;  Charles  Bennett,  Jan.  13, 
1865;  George  Studley,  Feb.  16,  1865;  Edward  B.  Sargent,  Oct.  4,  1864,  dis- 
charged June  9,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenants:  George  H.  Page,  Oct.  27,  1863;  Joseph  B. 
Babson,  Oct.  29,  1864, — previously  of  Fourth  Maine;  William  H.  Tripp,  Oct. 
29,  1864, — -previously  of  Co.  H,  Fourth  Maine,  brevet  Captain,  March  13, 
1S65;  Clarendon  W.  Gray,  Dec.  2,  1864;  Franklin  Adams,  Jan.  13,  1865; 
George  A.  Barton,  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Surgeon:  William  H.  Randall,  Nov.  16,  1864.  Assistant  Surgeon: 
Benjamin  Bussey,  Jr.,  Nov.  21,  1864. 

Chaplain:  George  W.  Hathaway,  June  14,  1863. 

(The  dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission;  those  hereafter 
given  refer  to  the  date  of  event. ) 

Died. 

Captains:  Lindley  M.  Coleman,  Oct.  18,  1862,  of  disease;  George  D. 
Smith,  killed  in  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Leroy  S.  Scott,  July  13,  1863,  of  wounds  in 
battle  of  Gettysburg;  Lafayette  Carver,  June  22,  1864,  of  wounds;  James  N. 
Hinkley  (commissioned,  not  mustered),  of  wounds,  Feb.  15,  1864;  George 
E.  Grows  (commissioned,  not  mustered),  of  wounds,  July  7,  1864;  William 
L.  Gerrish,  Feb.  11,  1865,  of  disease. 

Promoted  and  Transferred  out  of  Regiment. 

Colonel  Selden  Connor,  July  1,  1864,  to  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers. 
Chaplain  Eliphalet  Whittlesey,  March  11,  1863,  to  Captain  and  Assistant 
Adjutant-General,  U.  S.  Vols. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Henry  C.  Levensaler,  promoted  to  Surgeon  Eighth 
Maine  regiment,  Aug.  17,  1863. 

Discharged. 

Captains:  Asbury  C.  Richards,  Sept.  18,  1863;  Everett  M.  Whitehouse, 
Oct.  14,  1864,  expiration  of  term  of  service, — previously  Corp’l  Third  Maine; 
Dumont  Bunker,  Oct.  26,  1864;  William  H.  Fogler,  Nov.  2,  1864;  Charles  E. 
Nash,  Nov.  28,  1864;  Edgar  A.  Burpee,  May  15,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  Albion  Whitten,  Nov.  17,  1863;  Francis  W.  Has- 


324 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


kell,  Adjutant,  Feb.  6,  1864;  Richard  Crockett,  April  26,  1864;  George  A. 
Wadsworth,  April  27,  1864;  Edward  R.  Cunningham,  June  15,  1864;  George 

R.  Palmer,  Aug.  9,  1864;  Loring  Farr,  Sept.  15,  1864;  Willian’i  H.  Emery, 
Oct.  13,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Francis  H.  Foss,  Oct.  27,  1863;  Henry  W.  Nye, 
Feb.  23,  1864;  Alvirus  Osborne,  Mar.  4,  1864;  Samuel  E.  Bucknam,  April  1, 
1864;  Thomas  B.  Campbell,  Nov.  22,  1864;  Columbus  S.  Anderson,  Mar. 
17.  1865. 

Assistant  Surgeon:  Fred  G.  Parker,  Mar.  5,1864. 

Resigned. 

Colonel  Frederick  D.  Sewall,  Feb.  19,  1863, — afterwards  Colonel  Third 
regiment  V.  R.  C.  and  brevet  Brig.-General,  July  21,  1865. 

Colonel  Francis  E.  Heath,  on  account  of  ill  health,  Nov.  4,  1863, — brevet 
Brig.-General,  Mar.  13,  1865. 

Colonel  James  W.  Welch,  Oct.  21,  1864. 

Lieut. -Colonel  Henry  W.  Cunningham,  June  11,  1864. 

Captains:  Charles  H.  Rowell,  Oct.  12,  1862;  Joseph  Eaton,  Jr.,  Oct.  31, 
1862;  James  W.  Hathaway,  Nov.  5,  1862;  Daniel  L.  Dickey,  Jan.  1,  1863; 
Horace  C.  Noyes,  Feb.  20,  1863;  Edward  A.  Snow,  Feb.  23,  1863;  Charles 

S.  Larrabee,  Mar.  3,  1863:  George  L.  Whitmore,  Nov.  7,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  James  Johnson,  Oct.,  1862;  Joseph  H.  Hunt,  Oct.  21, 
1862;  William  Clements,  Oct.  17,  1862;  Francis  M.  Ames,  Nov.  18,  1862; 
Gershom  F.  Burgess,  Feb.  10,  1863;  John  S.  Tapley,  Feb.  14,  1863;  Jason 
Gordon,  Feb.  17,  1863;  James  W.  Wakefield,  Quartermaster,  Nov.  13,  1863; 
Elisha  W.  Ellis,  Dec.  12,  1863;  Josiah  W.  Tucker,  Dec.  28,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Levi  Rackliff,  Oct.  29,  1862;  Almon  Goodwin, 
Dec.  17,  1862;  George  C.  Hopkins,  Jan.  27,  1863;  Benjamin  B.  Hanson,  Jan. 
23,  1863;  Stephen  R.  Gordon,  Nov.  5,  1863;  Joseph  L.  Clark,  Nov.  30,  1863. 

Surgeons:  Adoniram  J.  Billings,  Jan.  n,  1864;  John  Q.  A.  Hawes,  Nov. 
2,  1864, — resigned  as  Assistant  Surgeon,  June  22,  1863,  and  commissioned 
as  Surgeon,  Feb.  29,  1864.  Assistant  Surgeons:  Wallace  Bolan,  Mar.  22, 
1864;  Benjamin  F.  Sturgis,  Oct.  22,  1864. 

Chaplain  Edwin  B.  Palmer,  Feb.  10,  1863. 

Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

First  Lieutenant  Joseph  Nichols,  Feb.  16,  1863,  cashiered. 


DOW’S  SIXTH  MAINE  BATTERY. 


325 


MONUMENT. 

The  monument  of  the  Sixth  Maine  Battery,  of  Hallowell  granite,  stands 
in  a conspicuous  position  upon  Hancock  avenue,  in  the  left  centre  of  the 
Union  line.  The  monument  is  surmounted  by  a pyramid  of  five  black  cannon 
balls  made  of  Addison  granite.  Upon  its  plinth  is  a group  of  cannon,  flags, 
swords,  etc.,  carved  in  bas  relief;  and  on  the  die  above  is  a five-pointed  star, 
also  in  relief. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  six  feet  by  six  feet  by  one  foot  six  inches; 
plinth,  four  feet  four  inches  by  four  feet  four  inches  by  two  feet  four  inches;  die, 
three  feet  six  inches  by  three  feet  six  inches  by  four  feet  eight  inches;  five 
balls,  each  one  foot  two  inches  in  diameter.  Total  height,  nine  feet  eight  inches. 
On  its  front  and  two  flanking  sides  are  the  following  inscriptions: 


Dow’s 

6th  Maine 

* 

Battery. 


Campaigns  A.  P. 

1862 1865. 


McGtevery’s  Brigade 
Reserve  Artillery. 


DOW’S  SIXTH  MAINE  BATTERY, 

FIRST  VOLUNTEER  BRIGADE,  RESERVE  ARTILLERY, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


IN  the  line  " patched  up  ” to  stay  the  tide  which  had  rolled  the 
advanced  Sickles’  line  back,  another  Maine  organization 
appeared  and  bore  a conspicuous  part  in  the  repulse  of  the 
final  Confederate  advance.  It  was  Dow’s  Sixth  Maine  battery, 
attached  to  the  Fourth  (a)  volunteer  brigade  of  reserve  artillery. 
This  battery,  consisting  of  four  light  twelve-pounder  Napoleon 
guns,  brought  onto  the  field  one  hundred  and  three  men  and 
officers  and  ninety  horses.  It  had  been  recruited  from  York, 
Waldo  and  Aroostook  counties,  and  had  been  in  service  since 
January  1,  1862.  First  Lieut.  Edwin  B.  Dow  commanded  at 
Gettysburg.  The  battery  arrived  on  the  field  from  Taneytown 
about  8 a.  m.,  July  2d,  with  the  other  batteries  of  the  artillery 
brigade.  During  the  forenoon  and  first  part  of  the  afternoon  of 
that  day  the  battery  was  parked  in  a field  near  the  Taneytown 
road,  whence  its  officers  and  men  were  anxious  spectators  of  the 
struggle  between  Sickles  and  Longstreet.  At  6 o’clock  General 
Tyler,  commanding  the  artillery  reserve,  ordered  Lieutenant 
Dow  to  report  to  Maj.  Freeman  McGilvery  (b) , commanding 
the  First  volunteer  brigade  of  the  reserve  artillery. 

Major  McGilvery,  to  whom  Lieutenant  Dow  was  ordered  to 
report,  was  at  that  hour  commanding  his  own  and  some  other 
artillery  at  the  front,  where  he  had  been  heavily  engaged  with  his 
batteries,  which  lined  the  cross-road  below  the  Peach  Orchard, 
sustaining  Sickles’  advanced  position.  In  the  crisis  of  the  battle 
attending  the  breaking  up  of  the  Third  corps  line  along  the 

(a)  The  heading  places  the  battery  in  the  First  brigade,  with  which  it  fought  in 
this  battle,  as  the  monument  inscription  indicates,  although  regularly  attached  to 
Fourth  brigade.  When  the  army  was  “ stripped  ” to  follow  Lee  it  was  found  nec- 
essary, on  account  of  the  lack  of  men,  to  leave  two  guns  at  Falmouth,  Va. 

(b)  Major  McGilvery,  who  rendered  very  distinguished  services  in  this  battle, 
was  a Maine  soldier,  and  promoted  from  Captain  of  the  Sixth  Maine  battery. 


DOW’S  BATTERY  ENGAGED. 


327 


Emmitsburg  road,  McGilvery  seized  the  opportunity  to  assemble 
some  retreating  batteries,  and  also  to  order  up  Dow,  who  had 
not  been  engaged,  and  posted  them  along  the  ridge  assigned  for 
the  main  line,  which  Hancock  had  been  strengthening  for  the 
salvation  of  the  army. 

It  was  about  seven  o’clock  when  the  Sixth  Maine  battery 
reported  to  McGilvery  (a) . The  enemy  had  just  overrun  and 
captured  four  guns  of  Bigelow’s  Ninth  Mass,  battery  near  the 
Trostle  house,  as  the  Sixth  Maine  opened  fire.  Directing  his 
fire  towards  the  abandoned  guns,  Lieutenant  Dow  soon  drove 
the  enemy  from  them ; and  later  in  the  evening  was  able  to 
recover  and  restore  three  of  them  to  their  rightful  owners. 

As  the  enemy  near  the  Trostle  house  were  driven  from  Big- 
elow’s guns,  McGilvery  discovered  them  advancing  in  force  upon 
the  left  centre  of  our  lines,  intending  to  push  through  and  com- 
plete the  victory  of  the  afternoon.  This  was  the  hour  when 
McGilvery’s  genius  as  an  officer  of  artillery  shone  brightest. 
He  hurried  into  position  battery  I,  5th  U.  S.,  three  guns  of  the 
5th  Mass.,  two  guns  of  Thompson’s  Penn,  battery,  and  a vol- 
unteer battery  the  name  of  which  was  not  ascertained  in  the 
confusion.  To  these  he  added  the  Sixth  Maine,  which  had  made 
a flank  movement  from  its  first  position.  Lieutenant  Dow  posted 
his  guns  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  whose  line  of  artillery  and 
infantry  had  advanced  into  the  open  field  about  seven  or  eight 
hundred  yards  in  front ; while  in  the  bushes  along  the  banks  of 
Plum  Run,  which  flowed  just  in  front  of  the  position  of  the  bat- 
teries, the  Confederate  sharpshooters  had  sheltered  themselves 
and  were  directing  an  annoying  and  dangerous  fire  upon  the 
artillery-men.  This  was  the  hour  when  Barksdale’s  brigade  of 
fiery  Mississippians,  whom  we  have  already  seen  overwhelming 
the  Third  Maine  at  the  Peach  Orchard,  were  advancing  with  una- 
bated ardor.  As  the  Sixth  Maine  went  into  position  it  came 
under  a heavy  fire  from  two  batteries  in  the  enemy’s  line.  Lieu- 
tenant Dow  replied  to  them  with  solid  shot  and  shell,  until  the 
enemy’s  line  of  skirmishers  advanced  from  their  shelter  towards 
the  batteries.  Very  soon,  moreover,  a battle  line  of  the  enemy 

(a)  Major  McGilvery’s  official  report,  18C3. —Rebellion  Records,  serial  No.  43, 
page  882. 


328 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


appeared,  moving  up  at  a distance  of  about  six  hundred  yards, 
and  evidently  bent  upon  dashing  through  the  line  of  batteries 
to  the  Taneytown  road.  At  this  moment  the  situation  of 
the  battery  was  most  perilous.  Its  anxious  commander  saw 
nowhere  any  infantry  supports  ; the  batteries  around  it,  unable 
to  stand  the  terrible  lire,  were  moving  off  to  the  rear  or  were 
deserted  by  their  cannoneers.  The  guns  of  battery  I,  5th  U. 
S.,  became  silent;  Thompson’s  Penn,  battery,  getting  out  of 
ammunition,  was  sent  to  the  rear ; Pettit’s  1st  N.  Y.  battery, 
which  had  come  up  about  the  time  the  Sixth  Maine  reported, 
moved  off,  as  did  also  the  volunteer  battery  which  McGilvery 
had  put  in  position  beside  battery  I,  5th  U.  S.  (a) . Alone  of  the 
line  Dow’s  Sixth  Maine  and  Phillip’s  5th  Mass,  stood  to  then- 
guns.  McGilvery,  whose  bravery  and  sagacity  were  invaluable 
at  this  hour,  directed  Lieutenant  Dow  to  " hold  the  position  at 
all  hazards,”  until  reinforcements  could  be  brought  up.  The 
Sixth  Maine  and  its  commanding  officer  were  equal  to  the 
demands  of  the  hour  and  the  orders  of  their  chief.  Upon 
the  advancing  enemy  the  Sixth  Maine  and  5th  Mass,  used  spher- 
ical case  and  canister  with  such  precision  and  rapidity  that  his 
line  could  not  advance,  and  was  forced  to  retire.  Lieutenant 
Dow,  perceiving  the  enemy  advancing  beyond  his  left  flank, 
hastily  moved  his  guns  to  fire  in  that  direction,  and  contributed 
largely  to  the  repulse  of  Wofford. 

It  was  about  7:45  p.  m.  when  the  enemy  was  repulsed. 
The  battery  had  expended  two  hundred  and  forty-four  rounds 
of  ammunition.  Although  under  a severe  artillery  and  skirmish 
fire,  the  battery  had  only  eight  men  wounded  and  not  one  killed. 
Altoo-ether  it  was  in  action  about  an  hour  and  a half.  At  eight 
o’clock  the  Sixth  Maine  was  relieved  by  battery  Iv,  4th  U.  S., 
then  commanded  by  Second  Lieut.  Robert  James.  Before  retir- 
ing from  the  field,  however,  Lieutenant  Dow  and  his  men, 
assisted  by  others,  recovered  seven  guns  abandoned  during  the 
battle  of  the  afternoon,  but  not  carried  off  by  the  enemy  (b) . 

(a)  Major  McGilvery’s  report,  18G3,  cited  ante. 

(b)  Lieutenant  Dow  received  his  commission  as  Captain  September  1,  18G3.  He 
was  brevetted  Major  of  Artillery  “for  gallant  and  meritorious  service  at  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg.” 


DOW’S  BATTERY  ENGAGED. 


. 329 


On  the  morning  of  July  3d,  having  repaired  damages  and 
received  a new  supply  of  ammunition,  the  battery  reported 
again  to  Major  McGilvery.  The  latter  was  at  that  time  bring- 
ing his  batteries  into  line  on  the  low  ground  on  the  Union  left 
centre,  in  anticipation  of  a conflict  with  batteries  which  the  Con- 
federates were  then  massing  in  great  force,  on  the  high  ground 
by  the  Emmitsburg  road.  Against  those  batteries  McGilvery 
massed  thirty-nine  guns.  First  upon  the  left,  resting  upon  an 
oak  wood  occupied  by  our  infantry,  was  Ames’  battery  G,  1st 
N.  Y.,  six  guns,  and  next  to  Ames  was  Dow  with  the  Sixth 
Maine,  four  guns.  Then  came  other  batteries,  making  the 
number  of  guns  thirty- nine.  In  front  of  these  guns  a slight 
earthwork  was  thrown  up,  to  cover  the  men  in  the  cannonade 
which  was  anticipated.  Supporting  these  guns  at  their  rear  was 
the  First  division  of  the  Second  corps,  reinforced  by  General 
Humphreys  with  his  brigades  of  Carr,  Brewster  and  Burling ; 
on  their  left  were  two  brigades,  under  Torbert  and  Nevin,  of 
the  Sixth  corps  ; and  on  their  right,  portions  of  the  Third  corps. 

About  1 o’clock  the  enemy  opened  upon  the  Union  centre, 
with  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  guns,  that  memorable  cannon- 
ade which  preceded  Pickett’s  charge.  But  much  of  this  fire  that 
was  directed  against  the  line  of  McGilvery’s  guns  wras  so  inac- 
curate as  to  do  little  damage,  and  the  cannoneers  were  ordered 
not  to  reply,  but  to  shelter  themselves  behind  the  earthworks  in 
front  of  their  guns.  It  was  not  until  an  hour  or  more  of  this 
cannonade  that  the  batteries  under  McGilvery  began  a slow, 
well-directed  fire  upon  those  single  batteries  of  the  enemy  most 
plainly  in  view.  Several  of  them  were  thus  badly  broken  up 
and  driven  to  the  rear  before  the  Confederate  infantry  was  ready 
to  advance. 

About  3 o’clock  the  cannonade  ceased  and  Pickett’s  division 
advanced,  with  Pettigrew’s  division  on  its  left,  and  Trimble 
closing  the  charging  column.  On  the  right  were  Wilcox’s  and 
Lang’s  brigades,  whose  line  of  march  was  towards  McGilvery’s 
batteries.  These  two  brigades,  however,  never  reached  the 
Union  line  ; they  did  not  even  succeed  in  getting  within  musket 
range  of  the  line  of  guns  that  poured  upon  them  such  a wither- 
ing fire.  These  being  repulsed,  the  guns  were  turned  obliquely 


330 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


to  the  right  upon  Pickett’s  line,  which  could  now  be  swept  by 
a most  destructive,  raking  tire.  No  hill  or  forest  interrupted 
the  level  plain  over  which  the  Sixth  Maine  cannoneers  and  their 
comrades  trained  the  guns  of  McGilvery’s  line.  The  effect  of 
this  raking  tire  was  terrible  for  the  Confederates,  but  most 
advantageous  for  the  defenders  of  the  Union  line.  The  deci- 
mated brigades  and  regiments  which  finally  rushed  upon  Han- 
cock’s line,  where  we  have  already  observed  the  Nineteenth 
Maine  under  fire,  had  been  doomed  to  defeat  when  they  came 
within  range  of  the  Union  batteries. 

During  this  day’s  action  five  men  of  the  Sixth  Maine  battery 
were  wounded.  Only  one  hundred  and  thirty-nine  rounds  of 
ammunition  were  expended,  but  it  was  used  to  the  greatest 
advantage.  In  the  two  days  of  the  battle  the  battery  lost  not 
a gun  nor  a carriage. 


REPORT  OF  LIEUT.  EDWIN  B.  DOW,  SIXTH 
MAINE  BATTERY. 

Camp  near  Berlin,  Md.,  July  17,  1863. 

Captain:  — I have  the  honor  to  report  the  action  taken  by  the  Sixth 
Maine  battery,  under  my  command,  at  the  battle  of  July  2d  and  3d,  near 
Gettysburg,  Pa. 

I received  orders  from  General  Tyler,  through  Lieutenant  Blucher,  to 
report  to  General  Sickles’  (Third)  corps,  on  the  left  centre,  about  6 p.  m.,  2d 
instant.  I immediately  marched  my  command  to  the  front,  meeting  an  ambu- 
lance with  General  Sickles  in  it  badly  wounded. 

I had  not  gone  far  when  Major  McGilvery  ordered  me  into  position  in 
rear  of  the  first  line,  remarking  that  he  had  charge  of  the  artillery  of  the  Third 
corps.  On  going  into  position  my  battery  was  under  a heavy  fire  from  two 
batteries  of  the  enemy,  situated  some  one  thousand  yards  in  my  front.  I 
replied  to  them  with  solid  shot  and  shell  until  the  enemy’s  line  of  skirmishers 
and  sharpshooters  came  out  of  the  woods  to  the  left  front  of  my  position  and 
poured  a continual  stream  of  bullets  at  us.  I soon  discovered  a battle  line 
of  the  enemy  coming  through  the  woods,  about  six  hundred  yards  distant, 
evidently  with  a design  to  drive  through  and  take  possession  of  the  road 
to  Taneytown,  directly  in  my  rear.  I immediately  opened  upon  them  with 
spherical  case  and  canister,  and,  assisted  by  a section  of  Captain  Phillips’ 
(5th  Mass.)  battery,  drove  them  back  into  the  woods.  Their  artillery, 
to  which  we  paid  no  attention,  had  gotten  our  exact  range,  and  gave  us  a 
warm  greeting. 

We  continued  to  shell  the  woods  after  their  infantry  retired,  and  upon 
visiting  the  spot  the  same  night,  about  9 o’clock,  found  many  rebels  dead 


DOW’S  OFFICIAL  REPORT. 


331 


and  wounded.  It  was  evidently  their  intention,  after  capturing  the  9th  Mass, 
batten- and  company  I,  Fifth  regular,  to  have  charged  right  through  our  lines 
to  the  Taneytown  road,  isolating  our  left  wing  and  dividing  our  army ; but 
owing  to  the  prompt  and  skillful  action  of  Maj.  Freeman  McGilvery,  in  form- 
ing his  second  line  as  soon  as  he  found  the  first  line  lost,  their  plan  was  foiled, 
for  they  no  doubt  thought  the  woods  in  our  rear  were  filled  with  infantry  in 
support  of  the  batteries,  when  the  fact  is  we  had  no  support  at  all.  At  this 
crisis  my  orders  from  Major  McGilvery  were  to  hold  my  position  at  all  haz- 
ards until  he  could  reinforce  the  position  and  relieve  me.  It  was  about  7 
o’clock  when  the  enemy  retired,  and  I was  in  action  altogether  about  one 
hour  and  a half. 

At  7:30  p.  m.  I was  relieved  by  Major  McGilvery,  who  placed  Seeley’s 
battery,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  James,  in  my  position,  and  I retired 
into  the  edge  of  the  woods.  Lieutenant  Rogers,  of  this  battery,  in  recon- 
noitering  found  the  enemy  had  retired  from  the  field  in  haste,  and  had  not 
taken  the  captured  guns  with  them  nor  even  spiked  them.  He  immediately 
reported  the  fact  to  me,  and  as  many  men  as  I could  spare  were  sent  under 
his  charge  to  bring  them  off  the  field.  With  the  aid  of  the  Garibaldi  Guard, 
of  New  York,  he  brought  off,  under  a fire  from  the  enemy’s  sharpshooters, 
four  3-inch  rifled  guns  and  two  limbers  belonging  to  company  I,  Fifth  reg- 
ular, which  we  immediately  limbered  on  our  caissons  and  ran  to  the  rear. 

I was  then  ordered  by  Major  McGilvery  to  go  to  the  front  and  see  if  any 
other  public  property  was  on  the  field,  which  order  I obeyed,  and  discovered 
four  light  1 2-pounder  guns  and  a limber  of  the  9th  Mass,  battery.  The  rem- 
nant of  the  150th  N.  Y.  regiment,  although  tired  and  weary,  took  hold  of  the 
guns  and  ran  them  up  to  Lieutenant  James’  position,  where  I turned  them 
over  to  Lieutenant  James,  not  having  force  sufficient  to  bring  them  off  the 
field.  Lieutenant  James  brought  the  guns  off,  and,  I understood,  turned 
them  over  to  the  9th  Mass,  battery  (a). 

By  order  of  Major  McGilverjr  I reported  to  Generals  Tyler  and  Hunt 
what  we  had  done.  General  Hunt  ordered  me  to  go  to  the  rear  near  the 
reserve  train  with  the  guns.  I did  so,  and  next  morning  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  returning  the  guns  of  company  I,  Fifth  regular,  to  their  command- 
ing officer. 

I am  happy  to  state  that  in  this  action,  although  under  the  most  severe 
artillery  and  sharpshooters’  fire,  I had  only  eight  men  wounded,  not  one 
killed.  Ammunition  expended,  244  rounds. 

After  repairing  damages  and  getting  a new  supply  of  ammunition,  I 
reported  to  Major  McGilvery  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  and  was  ordered 
into  position  between  the  2d  Conn,  battery  and  Ames’  (1st  N.  Y)  battery, 
supported  by  a brigade  of  the  Second  corps.  I built  earthworks  in  front 
of  my  guns. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  until  about  11  o’clock,  when,  at  a signal 
of  one  gun,  the  whole  rebel  line  opened  a most  terrific  fire  upon  our  position. 
Case  shot  and  shell  filled  the  air.  The  men  were  ordered  to  cease  firing  and 
take  refuge  behind  their  earthworks.  This  fire  lasted  without  much  abate- 

(a)  Only  three  of  the  gnus  of  9th  Mass,  battery  were  taken  off  by  this  detail. — 
See  James’  report,  Rebellion  Records,  serial  No.  43,  page  590;  also  report  of  Colonel 
Ketcham,  160th  N.  Y.,  ibid.,  page  409. 


332 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ment  about  one  hour  and  a half,  when  we  discovered  the  enemy  advancing 
under  cover  of  the  artillery.  A light  12-pounder  battery  of  four  guns  ran 
some  four  or  five  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  enemy’s  line,  so  as  to  enfilade 
the  batteries  on  our  right.  We  opened  with  solid  shot  and  shell  upon  this 
battery,  and  succeeded  in  dismounting  one  gun,  disabling  the  second,  and 
compelled  the  battery  to  leave  the  field  minus  one  caisson  and  several  horses. 

I deem  it  due  to  Major  McGilvery  to  say  that  he  was  ever  present,  riding 
up  and  down  the  line  in  the  thickest  of  the  fire,  encouraging  the  men  by 
his  words  and  dashing  example  — his  horse  receiving  eight  wounds,  of  which 
he  has  since  died,  the  gallant  Major  himself  receiving  only  a few  scratches. 

The  enemy  fired  mostly  case  shot  and  shell  at  our  position,  nearly  all  of 
which  passed  over  our  line  of  artillery  and  supports  and  exploded  in  the 
woods  behind,  covering  the  road  with  their  fragments.  Our  loss  this  day 
was  only  five  men  wounded  and  five  horses  killed. 

Owing  to  an  injunction  from  General  Hunt  not  to  reply  to  the  enemy’s 
fire,  but  save  our  ammunition,  we  expended  only  139  rounds.  In  the  two 
days’  action  we  did  not  lose  a gun  or  carriage,  but  reported  for  duty  again 
as  soon  as  our  stock  of  ammunition  was  replenished.  I was  ably  seconded 
by  Lieutenant  Rogers,  to  whom  we  owe  much  of  our  success. 

Where  all  did  well  it  is  useless  to  specify  any  certain  individual  among 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates. 

I have  the  honor  to  be,  Captain,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Edwin  B.  Dow, 

First  Lieutenant , Commanding  Sixth  Maine  Battery. 
Capt.  C.  H.  Whittelsey, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General,  Artillery  Reserve. 

— Rebellion  Records,  Vol.  xxvii.,  part  /.,  Serial  No.  43,  page  897 . 


PARTICIPANTS. 


Senior  First  Lieutenant,  Edwin  B.  Dow,  Portland,  commanding  the  battery. 
Junior  First  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Rogers,  Stockton. 

SERGEANTS. 

Marshall  N.  McKusick,  Baring,  Jeremiah  Gardiner,  Portland, 

Joshua  J.  Seamons,  Cary  Plantation,  Samuel  Thurston,  Portland, 

Joseph  W.  Burke,  Lee,  James  A.  Pray,  Gardiner, 

Timothy  Hegarty,  Miramichi,  N.  B. 

corporals. 

Wilson  W.  Sawtelle,  Dexter,  William  S.  Leavitt,  New  Limerick, 

Andrew  J.  Brown,  St.  George,  Albert  A.  Fling,  Gardiner, 

Edward  R.  Lamb,  New  Portland,  John  G.  Deane,  Portland, 

Thomas  J.  Daggett,  Cary  Plantation,  Winslow  Hutchings,  Alexander, 
Edward  L.  Merrithew,  Searsport,  Joseph  Winter,  Carthage, 

John  Cronan,  Houlton. 


Adams,  John  Q.,  Hodgdon, 
Appleby,  George,  Hodgdon, 
Bartlett,  Henry  D.,  Eustis, 
Broderick,  John,  Houlton, 


PRIVATES. 

Annis,  John,  Houlton, 

Appleby,  Murray,  Hodgdon, 

Bonnar,  Thomas,  Frederickton,  N.  B. 
Brown,  Edward  E.,  Brewer, 


DOW’S  BATTERY  PARTICIPANTS 


333 


Brown,  William  G.,  Dixfield, 
Calkins,  Ira,  Hodgdon, 

Clarence,  Felix,  Houlton, 

Clement,  Henry,  Smithfield, 
Driscoll,  Timothy,  Rockland, 

Ellis,  Luther,  Waterville, 

Esancy,  William  H.  H.,  Appleton, 
Finn,  James,  Biddeford, 

Gilpatrick,  Lyman,  Weston, 
Haskell,  Harvey  L.,  Dexter, 
Hewins,  Joseph  T.,  Augusta, 

Horr,  Henry  J.,  Portland, 

Kelly,  Daniel,  Biddeford, 

Law,  Norris  M.,  Union, 

Libby,  Elias  D.,  Stockton, 

Lothrop,  Stillman  H.,  Carroll, 
McCue,  Peter,  Portland, 

Merrill,  Joshua  P.,  Cary  Plantation, 
Moore,  John  W.,  Easton, 

Nelson,  Joseph  G.,  Hartland, 

0’ Heron,  Daniel,  Houlton, 

Pattee,  Albert  M.,  Mercer, 

Perkins,  Nathaniel,  Chesterville, 
Proctor,  Uriah,  Eustis, 

Reed,  Elias  H.,  Dead  River  PL, 
Rich,  Charles  H.,  Smithfield, 

Riley,  Thomas,  Rockland, 

Russell,  Asa,  Amity, 

Seavey,  Charles  C.,  Meddybemps, 
Taylor,  Samuel,  China, 

Trefethen,  Epps  A.,  Portland, 
Wallis,  Robert,  Crawford, 

Welch,  John  W.,  Augusta, 

Wilds,  Joseph,  Biddeford, 
Woodbury,  David  L.,  Hartland, 


Burns,  George,  Searsmont, 
Chambers,  John,  Presque  Isle, 
Clarence,  George,  Houlton, 

Daggett,  Benjamin  F.,  Houlton, 
Dunton,  Samuel  F.,  Camden, 

Emery,  George,  Biddeford, 

Evans,  Oscar  W.,  Sidney, 

Foster,  Sanders  P.,  Monticello, 
Hanson,  Albert  N.,  Saco, 

Herrick,  Florin  G.,  Hodgdon, 
Hinkley,  Joseph  D.,  Argyle, 
Jackson,  Leroy,  Camden, 

Lane,  Orestes  H.,  Carroll, 

Lermond,  Ambrose  L.,  Appleton, 
Littlefield,  Edward,  Biddeford, 
Maddocks,  George,  Warren, 
McKenzie  Michael,  Houlton, 

Metcalf,  James,  Talmadge, 

Mosher,  Albert,  Smithfield, 

Norton,  Ervin  C.,  Vinalhaven, 

Orne,  William  A.,  Friendship, 
Penley,  Joseph  A.,  Wayne, 

Proctor,  Erastus,  Appleton, 

Reed,  Eben,  Dead  River  Plantation, 
Reed,  Henry,  Houlton, 

Richardson,  Henry,  Belgrade, 
Robinson,  Joel  F.,  Sidney, 

Sawyer,  Edward  T.,  Danville, 
Smith,  William  G.,  Saco, 

Thorndike,  Thomas  W.,  Camden, 
Walden,  James,  Camden, 

Waters,  Ruel  W.,  Augusta, 

White,  Charles  L.,  Chesterville, 
Wiley,  David  M.,  Easton, 
Woodman,  Marston,  Searsport. 


Bugler,  Henry  H.  Crosby,  Augusta. 

Artificers  and  Blacksmiths:  Jonas  C.  Spooner,  Houlton,  William 
H.  Charles,  Smithfield,  Aaron  P.  Kinney,  Houlton.  Wagoner,  Watson 
Andrews,  Saco. 

Detached  in  Army:  Amos  Metcalf,  Talmadge  pi.,  hospital  cook. 

Morning  report  for  June  30,  1863:  Present  for  duty,  officers  2,  men  101; 
total,  103.  Absent,  detached  service,  2;  absent  sick,  13.  Present  and  absent, 
2 officers,  1 16  men. 


334 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

Sergeant  Joseph  W.  Burke,  wounded. 

Corporal  William  S.  Leavitt,  wounded  slightly. 

PRIVATES. 

Annis,  John,  wounded  slightly.  Dunton,  Samuel  F.,  wounded  slightly. 

Ellis,  Luther,  wounded  slightly.  Jackson,  Leroy,  wounded  slightly. 
Lothrop,  Stillman  H.,  wounded.  Maddocks,  George,  wounded  slightly. 
Proctor,  Erastus,  wounded.  Reed,  Elias  H.,  wounded. 

Wiley,  David  M.,  wounded  slightly.  Woodbury,  David  L.,  w’d  slightly. 
Woodman,  Marston,  wounded  slightly. 

All  those  marked  as  “ wounded  slightly  ” returned  to  the  battery  soon 
after  the  battle. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  SIXTH  MAINE  BATTERY. 

COMPILED  BY  BREVET  BRIG. -GEN.  CHARLES  HAMLIN. 

The  Sixth  battery,  recruited  principally  in  York,  Waldo  and 
Aroostook  counties  in  the  months  of  November  and  December, 
1861,  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at  Augusta, 
January  1,  1862.  The  battery  was  officered  as  follows  : 

Freeman  McGilvery,  Stockton,  Captain  ; George  H.  Smith, 
Hodgdon,  Edwin  B.  Dow,  Portland,  First  Lieutenants ; Fred 
A.  Morton,  Augusta,  William  H.  Rogers,  Stockton,  Second 
Lieutenants. 

The  battery  lay  in  camp  at  Augusta  until  March,  when  it 
received  orders  to  proceed  to  Portland  and  occupy  the  barracks 
called  Camp  Berry.  Orders  were  received  March  30th  for  all 
the  light  batteries  in  Maine  to  report  at  Washington,  D.  C., 
and  April  1st  the  six  batteries  took  the  cars  for  that  city ; 
arrived  in  Washington  April  3d,  and  went  into  camp  at  East 
Capitol  Hill. 

The  Sixth  battery  remained  in  camp  about  a month,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  march  to  Fort  Buffalo  and  garrison  that  out- 
post. Fort  Buffalo  was  a small  redoubt,  mounting  four  light 
guns,  situate  near  the  village  of  Falls  Church,  Va.,  about  seven 
miles  from  the  Potomac.  A portion  of  the  company  was  armed 
with  muskets,  while  the  remainder  acted  as  artillery-men.  Mat- 
ters becoming  quiet  in  the  neighborhood  of  Washington  the  guns 


DOW  S BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


335 


in  the  fort  were  sent  to  Fort  Ramsay,  and  the  Sixth  battery  was 
ordered  to  relieve  the  Fourth  Maine  battery  at  that  post. 

A few  days  afterwards  orders  came  to  dismantle  Fort  Ram- 
say, which  mounted  several  heavy  guns  en  barbette  and  had  a 
large  stock  of  ammunition.  After  several  days  the  fort  was 
vacated  and  the  battery  ordered  to  occupy  the  village  of  Falls 
Church,  Captain  McGilvery  being  appointed  commander  of  the 
post.  At  this  time  the  rebel  general " Stonewall  ” J ackson  made 
his  advance  down  the  valley,  driving  General  Banks  into  Mary- 
land, and  great  fears  were  entertained  that  an  attack  might  be 
made  on  Washington.  The  Sixth  battery  held  the  extreme  out- 
post and  picketed  as  far  south  as  Fairfax  Court  House.  Com- 
municating with  the  headquarters  at  Arlington  Heights  by  a 
system  of  signals,  Captain  McGilvery  received  very  compli- 
mentary notices  for  his  energy  and  watchfulness  on  this  occasion. 
Shortly  after,  the  battery  was  ordered  to  Washington  to  receive 
its  proper  armament.  After  fitting  up  a camp  at  East  Capitol 
Hill  it  received  its  battery,  which  consisted  of  four  light 
12-pound  brass  pieces  (Napoleons),  and  two  3-inch  rifie  guns 
(10-pounders),  with  one  hundred  and  twenty  horse-harnesses, 
ammunition  and  accoutrements  complete. 

Before  it  was  properly  drilled  the  battery  was  ordered  to 
report  to  General  Banks  at  Harper’s  Ferry.  It  marched  up 
the  valley  via  Charlestown  and  Winchester  to  Cedar  Creek,  Va. , 
where  General  Banks’  army  then  lay,  and  remained  at  Cedar 
Creek  until  after  the  4th  of  July,  when  the  corps  moved  via 
Front  Royal  across  the  Blue  Ridge  to  Little  Washington,  near 
Culpeper.  It  remained  in  camp  at  Little  Washington  nearly  a 
month,  during  which  time  the  battery  was  well  drilled  and  per- 
fected for  the  field. 

About  this  time  Jackson  was  reported  to  be  advancing  with 
a heavy  force  from  Gordonsville  towards  Culpeper.  The  sep- 
arate corps  or  armies  under  Generals  McDowell,  Banks  and 
Sigel  were  consolidated  under  the  command  of  General  Pope, 
and  designated  the  Army  of  Virginia.  General  McDowell’s 
corps  lay  at  Chlpeper ; General  Banks  was  ordered  near  Cul- 
peper, and  General  Sigel  remained  at  Sperryville.  News  having 
arrived  that  Jackson  had  crossed  the  Rapidan,  thirty  thousand 


336 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


strong,  General  Banks’  corps,  six  thousand  six  hundred  strong, 
was  ordered  to  move  forward  and  engage  him.  The  moraine: 
of  August  9th  Banks’  corps  passed  McDowell’s  and  met  the 
enemy  strongly  posted  at  Slaughter’s  (or  Cedar)  Mountain.  The 
attack  was  made  immediately,  and  after  six  hours  of  most  ter- 
rific fighting,  General  Banks  was  forced  to  retire,  he  having 
received  no  aid  from  Generals  McDowell  or  Sigel.  The  Fourth 
and  Sixth  Maine  batteries  were  in  Banks’  corps  and  fought 
their  maiden  fight  on  that  day.  The  Sixth  was  posted  on  the 
extreme  left  flank  of  the  corps  and  repulsed  a most  determined 
attack  made  by  the  enemy,  who,  after  repeated  charges,  was 
driven  in  confusion. 

The  battery  was  attached  to  General  Augur’s  division  and 
was  under  a heavy  fire  of  rebel  artillery.  The  rebels  hoped  to 
disable  and  drive  us  from  the  field.  After  General  Augur  was 
wounded  he  sent  word  to  Captain  McGilvery,  congratulating 
him  and  his  battery  on  their  gallant  fight,  and  said  the  battery 
was  the  means  of  repelling  the  assaults  on  the  left  flank,  and 
saved  the  division  from  being  destroyed  or  taken  prisoners. 
The  last  gun  was  brought  off  the  field  in  the  face  of  the  enemy’s 
infantry  not  fifty  yards  distant. 

Next  day  General  Banks’  corps  occupied  Culpeper,  and 
General  McDowell’s  corps  watched  Jackson.  August  20th  the 
retreat  to  the  Rappahannock  River  began,  and  from  that  time 
until  the  29th  they  marched  and  counter-marched,  fought  night 
and  day,  the  men  living  on  half  rations  and  the  horses  on  what 
they  could  pick  up. 

The  Sixth  battery  was  engaged  at  Rappahannock  Station, 
Sulphur  Springs  and  Blackburn’s  Ford.  At  Catlett’s  Station 
orders  were  received  detaching  the  Sixth  battery  from  Banks’ 
corps  and  ordering  it  to  proceed  by  forced  marches  and  report 
to  Major-General  Hooker,  who  had  just  arrived  at  Manassas 
with  the  advance  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  had  fought 
and  driven  Jackson  without  any  artillery.  It  reported,  as 
ordered,  on  the  morning  of  August  29th  and  fought  at  Second 
Bull  Run  all  day,  with  its  division,  which  was  relieved  about 
4 p.  m.  by  General  Kearny’s  division. 

At  daylight  on  the  30th  the  army  was  re-formed,  and  as 


DOW'S  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


337 


Jackson  had  been  reinforced  during  the  night  by  General  Long- 
street,  our  army  awaited  the  rebel  attack.  At  2 o’clock  p.  M. 
it  was  made  by  a heavy  column  falling  upon  our  left  flank ; at 
the  same  time  an  attack  was  made  along  our  whole  front.  So 
sudden  and  overwhelming  was  this  assault  of  the  enemy  that 
our  whole  line  gave  way  before  it,  losing  whole  batteries, 
almost  without  firing  a shot. 

The  Sixth  Maine  was  the  centre  of  three  batteries.  That 
on  the  right  was  captured  entire  and  the  one  on  the  left  got 
away.  The  enemy  charged  the  Sixth  on  the  right  and  front. 
It  fought  them  until  its  support  had  left  and  all  the  horses  of 
two  guns  had  been  killed.  Captain  McGilvery  finding  it  use- 
less to  maintain  the  unequal  contest,  and  the  enemy  gaining 
his  rear,  gave  orders  to  fall  back,  which  was  done,  leaving  the 
two  disabled  guns  on  the  field. 

Captain  McGilvery  made  a stand  at  the  brick  (hospital) 
building  and  repulsed  the  enemy  with  great  loss,  amply  paying 
for  the  loss  of  his  two  guns.  The  repulse  at  the  hospital 
enabled  us  to  get  off  many  of  the  wounded. 

The  battery  was  ordered  to  fall  back  towards  Centreville 
by  General  Heintzelman,  as  the  army  was  in  full  retreat.  It 
arrived  at  Centreville  Heights  the  next  morning  and  was  ordered 
into  position  on  the  heights  covering  the  Bull  Run  road.  Sep- 
tember 1st  the  army  evacuated  Centreville  and  fell  back  upon 
the  defenses  of  Washington.  At  night  the  enemy  made  a 
grand  attack  upon  the  right  of  our  army  with  the  expectation 
of  cutting  off  the  column,  but  after  a desperate  resistance, 
wherein  we  lost  two  of  our  best  generals,  Kearny  and  Stevens, 
they  withdrew.  The  Sixth  battery  was  with  Kearny’s  division 
but  was  not  called  into  action.  Next  morning  it  continued  its 
movement  and  arrived  at  Fort  Lyon,  near  Alexandria,  the  same 
night.  The  battery  remained  at  Fort  Lyon  ten  days,  refitting, 
and  moved  with  its  division,  via  Rockville,  to  Frederick,  Md. 
General  McClellan  then  assumed  command  of  the  combined 
armies  of  the  Potomac  and  Virginia. 

The  enemy  were  reported  crossing  the  Potomac  at  Shep- 
herdstown  and  moving  on  Frederick  City.  September  7th  the 
army  commenced  its  movement  to  encounter  the  enemy,  and 


338 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


on  the  14th  he  was  found  strongly  posted  at  South  Mountain 
and  Crampton’s  Gap.  The  attack  was  ordered  and  both  posi- 
tions were  carried  by  bayonet  charges,  the  enemy  falling  back 
on  the  main  body,  which  took  position  on  the  south  side  of 
Antietam  Creek.  On  the  17th  our  army  moved  into  position 
and  commenced  a furious  attack  on  the  rebel  left  and  centre, 
commencing  the  battle  of  Antietam.  The  Fourth  and  Sixth 
Maine  batteries  were  posted  on  an  eminence  covering  the  stone 
bridge  over  which  Hooker’s  corps  had  passed  in  the  morning 
and  Franklin’s  corps  later  in  the  day;  but  neither  of  these 
batteries  was  engaged.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th  the  rebel 
army  had  entirely  disappeared  from  our  front,  and  our  forward 
movement  commenced.  Finding  General  Lee  had  recrossed 
into  Virginia,  General  McClellan  ordered  our  army  into  camp. 
Two  corps  encamped  around  Harper’s  Ferry,  Va.,  and  the 
remainder  in  Pleasant  Valley,  Md.,  where  McClellan’s  head- 
quarters were.  The  Sixth  battery  encamped  at  Sandy  Hook, 
Md.  Upon  the  reorganization  of  the  army,  Banks’  old  corps 
was  incorporated  into  the  Twelfth  army  corps,  and  General 
Slocum  assigned  to  the  command.  General  Geary  commanded 
the  Second  division,  to  which  the  Sixth  battery  was  attached. 
During  its  stay  at  Sandy  Hook  it  received  a number  of  recruits 
and  a full  section  of  guns,  horses,  harnesses  and  material  to 
replace  those  lost  at  Manassas. 

When  the  army  made  its  flank  movement  to  Falmouth  the 
Twelfth  corps  was  left  at  Harper’s  Ferry  to  guard  the  valley. 
General  Burnside  had  succeeded  McClellan  in  command,  and 
had  fought  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 

The  Sixth  battery  was  ordered  to  cross  the  Potomac  and 
take  position  on  Bolivar  Heights,  covering  the  Winchester  pike. 
The  division  made  many  reconnaissances  up  the  valley  as 
far  as  Berryville  and  Winchester,  but  developed  no  enemy. 
December  10th  the  Twelfth  corps  moved  to  guard  the  line  of 
communications  from  Alexandria  to  Falmouth.  The  First  divis- 
ion moved  to  Stafford  Court  House,  the  Second  division  halt- 
ing at  Fairfax  Station.  The  First  brigade  of  the  Second  division, 
with  one  section  of  the  Sixth  battery,  was  ordered  to  proceed 
to  Dumfries  and  hold  that  important  post.  On  the  morning  of 


DOAV’s  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


339 


December  27th  the  enemy  suddenly  appeared  before  the  town 
with  three  thousand  cavalry  and  six  pieces  of  artillery,  under 
Stuart,  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  post.  Colonel  Candy 
of  the  66th  Ohio,  commanding  the  brigade,  refused,  and  imme- 
diately made  dispositions  for  defense.  After  a se\rere  fight  of 
three  hours  the  enemy  were  compelled  to  withdraw.  Colonel 
Candy  spoke  very  highly  of  the  firing  of  the  section  of  the  Sixth 
which  prevented  the  cavalry  from  forming  for  a charge.  Hearing 
the  rapid  artillery  fire,  Lieutenant  Dow  was  permitted  to  take 
the  balance  of  the  battery  to  Lieutenant  Rogers’  assistance,  and 
after  a severe  march  through  mud  axle  deep  he  arrived  at  Dum- 
fries at  dark  and  joined  his  comrade.  The  division  shortly  after 
moved  to  Acquia  Creek,  which  was  our  base  of  supplies,  leav- 
ing the  First  brigade  and  the  Sixth  battery  at  Dumfries,  which 
immediately  made  preparations  to  resist  any  attack,  and  built 
winter  quarters. 

Lieutenant  Smith,  who  had  been  absent  on  recruiting  ser- 
A'ice  since  the  battery  was  at  Cedar  Creek,  returned  to  the  bat- 
tery here,  but  resigned  and  left  for  home.  Lieutenant  Morton 
resigned  while  the  battery  lay  at  Sandy  Hook,  and  Sergt.  Oiwille 
W.  Merrill,  of  Portland,  Avas  commissioned  in  his  place.  Lieu- 
tenant Merrill  resigned  while  in  camp  at  Dumfries,  and  Ser- 
geants William  H.  Gallison,  of  Portland,  and  Edward  Wiggin, 
Jr.,  of  Hodgdon,  were  commissioned  Second  Lieutenants.  Cap- 
tain McGilvery  had  been  promoted  to  Major  of  Maine  mounted 
artillery  during  his  absence,  and  the  command  of  the  battery 
deAmrted  upon  Lieutenant  Dow. 

The  battery  remained  at  Dumfries  until  May  27th,  when  it 
was  ordered  to  report  to  the  reserve  artillery  camp  at  Falmouth, 
where  it  was  again  reduced  to  a four-gun  battery,  on  account 
of  the  diminished  number  of  men.  Lieutenants  Gallison  and 
Wiggin  were  mustered  out  by  order  of  the  War  Department 
on  account  of  this  reduction.  June  13th  the  army  commenced 
its  movement  towards  the  Potomac.  On  the  15th  the  battery, 
which  was  attached  to  the  Fourth  brigade  of  reserve  artillery, 
arrived  at  Fairfax  Court  House  and  remained  till  the  24th,  when 
it  marched  to  the  Potomac,  crossed  at  Edwards  Ferry,  and 
encamped  until  the  28th,  then  marched  Ada  Frederick  and  Taney- 


340 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


town  to  Gettysburg,  arriving  there  early  on  July  2d.  In  the 
memorable  contest  at  Gettysburg  the  Sixth  Maine  was  kept  in 
reserve  until  6 p.  m.,  July  2d,  when  the  crisis  of  the  battle  had 
arrived.  Our  artillery,  posted  on  the  road  leading  from  Little 
Round  Top  to  the  Peach  Orchard  and  along  the  Emmitsburg 
road  northerly,  had  been  charged  by  the  rebel  infantry  and 
forced  to  give  way.  Many  pieces  were  captured,  while  others 
were  limbered  up  and  went  to  the  rear  in  haste  and  confusion. 
Our  infantry  fell  back  to  the  ridge  running  parallel  with  the 
Taneytown  road,  connecting  Little  Round  Top  with  Cemetery 
Hill.  The  Sixth  battery  was  posted  near  a road  that  led  from 
the  rebel  position  through  our  lines.  The  rebel  infantry  halted 
to  re-form,  and  their  batteries  took  up  new  positions.  At  half 
past  six  or  later  the  final  attack  was  made,  and  the  enemy  endeav- 
ored to  pierce  our  lines  by  the  road  near  which  the  battery  was 
posted.  For  an  hour  the  contest  raged  with  great  fury,  but  the 
Sixth  held  the  position.  Major  McGilvery,  who,  after  the 
wounding  of  Captain  Randolph,  commanded  all  the  artillery 
along  that  part  of  the  line,  started  after  another  battery,  as  the 
men  of  the  Sixth  were  hard  pressed  and  their  ammunition  was 
getting  short,  and  just  as  the  enemy  was  completely  repulsed 
at  all  points,  he  brought  up  Seeley’s  battery  K,  4th  U.  S.  artil- 
lery. This  battery  had  been  engaged  during  the  afternoon, 
with  the  Second  division  of  the  Third  corps  at  the  Emmitsburg 
road,  near  the  Smith  house,  and  Lieutenant  Seeley  having  been 
wounded  and  carried  to  the  rear,  left  the  battery  in  command  of 
Lieutenant  James,  who  brought  the  battery  off  the  field  when 
the  division  fell  back  to  the  main  line.  Battery  K suffered 
severely,  and  went  into  position  under  Major  McGilvery  with 
only  four  guns,  one  section  having  been  sent  to  the  rear  for 
want  of  men  to  handle  it.  Lieutenant  James  during  the  night, 
with  the  assistance  of  the  Sixth  Maine  battery  and  an  infantry 
detail,  succeeded  in  bringing  from  the  field  several  guns  which 
had  been  abandoned  by  our  troops  during  the  day. 

The  Sixth  battery  was  highly  complimented  by  Major  McGil- 
very and  Generals  Tyler  and  Hunt,  respectively  chiefs  of  the 
reserve  and  army  artillery,  for  its  gallantry  on  this  occasion. 
On  July  3d  it  was  placed  in  McGilvery’s  line  of  batteries  on 


DOW’S  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


341 


the  left  centre,  supported  by  the  First  division,  Second  corps, 
and  the  Third  corps.  The  battery  participated  in  the  terrific 
artillery  duel  of  that  morning,  and  assisted  in  the  repulse  of 
Longstreet’s  assault  on  our  lines,  a little  south  of  Cemetery  Hill, 
which  decided  the  fate  of  the  battle  and  compelled  the  rebel 
army  to  recross  the  Potomac. 

Marching  thence  to  Hagerstown  they  were  ordered  to  report 
to  Major-General  Howard,  commanding  the  Eleventh  corps, 
in  his  advance  on  Williamsport ; but  without  being  engaged 
rejoined  the  artillery  reserve  at  Berlin.  On  the  18th  they 
crossed  the  Potomac  into  Virginia,  and  proceeded  by  easy 
marches  to  Warrenton,  arriving  on  the  25th,  remaining  till 
August  1st,  then  marched  to  Warrenton  Junction  and  camped. 
They  broke  camp  at  the  Junction  September  16th  and  marched 
to  Culpeper,  where  they  lay  until  October  12th,  when  they 
commenced  their  retreat  to  Centreville  Heights,  subsequently 
advancing  to  Brandy  Station.  During  the  retreat  the  battery 
was  ordered  to  the  First  corps,  and  participated  in  the  skir- 
mishes in  which  that  corps  was  engaged  as  rear  guard : and  in 
this  retreat  the  battle  of  Bristoe  Station  was  fought  and  won 
by  the  Second  corps.  From  the  1st  of  November  till  the  26th 
the  battery  was  posted  by  sections  along  the  railroad,  supported 
by  infantry,  to  guard  the  communications  with  Washington. 
November  26th  it  moved  towards  the  Rapidan,  and  crossed  two 
days  later,  finding  the  enemy  strongly  posted  at  Mine  Run. 
December  1st  they  recrossed  the  Rapidan  at  Ely’s  Ford,  and 
marched  towards  Brandy  Station,  arriving  on  the  3d.  On  the 
8th  it  was  ordered  to  the  reserve  again,  and  went  into  winter 
quarters.  Lieutenant  Dow  was  commissioned  Captain  and  mus- 
tered in  September  1,  1863,  having  been  Lieutenant  command- 
ing since  December  10,  1862.  Large  and  convenient  log  houses 
were  built  for  officers  and  men  and  stables  for  the  horses. 
During  the  winter  the  battery  was  recruited  to  the  maxi- 
mum standard. 

Lieutenant  Wiggin  had  been  re-commissioned  a First  Lieu- 
tenant, and  Sergeants  Samuel  Thurston  and  Marshall  N.  McKu- 
sick  were  commissioned  Second  Lieutenants.  The  recruits  were 
being  drilled  constantly  and  the  battery  made  efficient.  In 


342 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


April,  1864,  upon  the  reorganization  of  the  army,  the  battery 
was  assigned  to  the  Second  corps,  General  Hancock.  A very 
high  compliment  was  given  the  battery  by  Colonel  Burton, 
commanding  the  reserve,  upon  its  high  state  of  discipline 
and  efficiency. 

May  3d  the  battery,  under  Captain  Dow,  left  camp  near 
Stevensburg  at  8 p.  m.  and  marched  towards  the  Rapidan ; 
crossed  next  moraine-  and  bivouacked  at  night  on  the  Chancel- 
lorsville  battle  ground.  On  the  5th  it  broke  camp  at  daylight 
and  took  up  the  line  of  march  towards  Spotsylvania  Court 
House.  Arriving  at  Todd’s  Tavern  it  was  announced  that  the 
enemy  was  advancing  rapidly  against  us.  Hancock’s  corps 
marched  back  by  the  Brock  road  to  connect  with  another  corps. 
The  enemy,  assaulting,  had  pitched  the  battle  in  the  woods 
where  but  little  artillery  could  be  used.  The  Second  corps  line 
was  formed  on  the  Brock  road,  extending  on  either  side  of  the 
Plank  road.  The  battery  was  posted  on  the  Brock  road  with 
the  right  section  on  the  Plank  road.  The  1st  N.  H.  battery  was 
posted  on  the  left  of  the  Sixth  Maine.  A line  of  works  had 
been  thrown  up  hastily  in  our  front,  and  a second  line  was 
formed,  behind  which  the  battery  was  posted,  out  of  sight  of 
the  enemy.  About  4 o’clock  the  armies  met,  and  most  terrific 
infantry  fighting  ensued,  until  darkness  interposed. 

The  battle  ground  was  truly  a " wilderness.”  At  5 a.  m.,  May 
6th,  the  battle  again  opened  fiercely,  and  our  troops  had  driven 
the  enemy  two  miles  at  10  o’clock,  but  were  in  turn  forced  to 
retire  to  their  own  works.  At  4 o’clock  p.  M.  Longstreet  made 
his  grand  attack  upon  our  left  and  at  the  junction  of  the  Brock 
and  Plank  roads.  He  advanced  boldly  against  our  hastily  con- 
structed line  of  breastworks,  where  he  was  checked.  But  the 
dry  logs  of  which  the  works  were  built  caught  fire,  and  our 
troops  at  that  point  were  forced  to  retire  to  our  second  line. 

The  rebel  line  now  quickly  advanced,  little  dreaming  of  what 
was  in  store  for  them.  On  they  came  with  banners  flying,  con- 
fident of  victory  until  within  two  hundred  yards  of  their  goal, 
when  the  Sixth  Maine  and  the  1st  N.  H.  batteries  opened  upon 
them  with  double-shotted  canister,  making  great  gaps  in  their 
lines  and  causing  the  greatest  consternation.  In  vain  they  tried 


DOW’S  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


343 


to  re-form  and  advance.  General,  field  and  line  officers  fell 
beside  their  men  and  colors,  while  the  artillery  and  infantry 
poured  volley  after  volley  into  the  broken  rebel  ranks.  They 
could  not  stand  such  fire  and,  amid  a storm  of  shot  and  shell, 
they  sought  their  own  lines,  broken  and  discomfited.  During 
the  action,  which  lasted  half  an  hour,  our  breastwork  caught 
fire,  but  the  men  stood  to  their  guns  till  they  were  blistered, 
and  had  to  be  sent  to  hospital  after  the  action  was  over.  The 
battery  suffered  a loss  here  of  one  officer  and  seven  men 
wounded.  "During  this  attack  Dow’s  battery,  Sixth  Maine, 
rendered  effective  service,  one  section  on  the  Plank  road,  the 
other  near  Mott’s  left,  in  the  second  line.  It  was  served  with 
great  steadiness  and  gallantry”  (a).  Night  coming  on  the  men 
lay  beside  their  guns,  and  next  day  remained  in  position  repair- 
ing damages. 

May  8th,  at  daylight,  they  resumed  the  line  of  march  to 
Todd’s  Tavern,  near  which  our  flankers  were  furiously  attacked. 
The  battery  was  ordered  into  position  north  of  the  tavern, 
where  it  remained  until  the  morning  of  the  9th,  when  it  relieved 
the  10th  Mass,  battery  south  of  the  tavern,  covering  the  roads. 
Two  guns  were  detached  for  picket  duty  with  Colonel  Ivitch- 
ings’  brigade,  about  four  hundred  yards  out  on  the  road.  May 
10th  it  resumed  its  line  of  march  for  Spotsylvania,  went,  into 
position  near  the  Deserted  House,  and  opened  fire,  covering  the 
advance  of  the  Fourth  division.  At  nis;ht  it  was  ordered  to 
report  to  General  Gibbon,  Second  division,  on  the  right.  It 
went  into  position  till  night  of  the  11th,  when  they  marched 
and  bivouacked  near  the  Fifth  corps  hospital.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  12th  it  marched  and  parked  in  rear  of  the  Deserted 
House.  At  4 a.  m.  the  grand  salient  attack  was  made  by  the 
Second  corps,  in  which  twenty  pieces  of  artillery,  two  general 
officers  and  a whole  division  of  Confederates  were  captured. 
The  Sixth  battery  hauled  off  six  rebel  guns.  At  11a.  m.  it 
advanced  to  the  Landrum  house  and  opened  fire  on  the  salient 
of  the  rebel  line.  Lieutenant  Thurston  was  wounded  by  a rifle 
shot.  During  the  night  of  the  13th  the  enemy  retired,  and  the 
battery  was  ordered  forward  and  posted  at  the  captured  works 

(a)  Virginia  Campaign  of  ’64  and  ’65,  page  48,  by  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys. 


344 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


of  the  enemy.  Leaving  this  position  on  the  morning  of  the 
15th  it  parked  on  the  Fredericksburg  road. 

On  the  17th  it  turned  in  one  section  of  guns  under  a iron- 
eral  order  reducing  all  six-gun  batteries  to  four  g-uns.  Several 
changes  of  positions  were  made  and  on  the  20th  marched  with 
Tyler’s  Heavy  Artillery  (now  infantry)  division,  via  Bowling 
Green,  around  the  right  flank  of  the  Confederate  army,  crossed 
the  Mattapony  River  and  formed  in  battery  near  Poplar  Tav- 
ern. It  was  in  position  till  May  23d,  when  it  approached  the 
North  Anna  River  and  went  into  battery,  covering  Birney’s 
attack  on  the  redoubt  and  works  at  Taylor’s  bridge,  which  were 
handsomely  carried.  On  the  night  of  the  24th  it  crossed  North 
Anna  River  and  relieved  Clark’s  N.  J.  battery  near  Doswell’s 
house.  At  6 p.  m.  of  the  25th  it  opened  fire  on  the  enemy’s 
breastworks,  driving  them  out,  Smyth’s  brigade  charging  and 
capturing  the  works.  At  9 p.  m.  it  withdrew,  recrossed  the 
river  and  went  into  battery  covering  the  pontoon  bridge,  and 
at  11  a.  m.  on  the  27th  moved  towards  the  Pamunkey  River 
and  crossed,  and  was  in  position  at  different  points  on  the  line 
till  night  of  June  1st,  when  it  moved  to  Cold  Harbor. 

On  June  3d  the  Second  corps  made  a charge  upon  the 
enemy’s  works  and  the  battery  took  an  advanced  position,  one 
section  going  with  an  intrenching  detachment,  and  received  a 
counter-charge  by  the  enemy  after  our  own  had  failed.  The 
enemy’s  artillery  opened  upon  the  position  with  a large  number 
of  guns,  to  which  the  Sixth  responded.  When  their  infantry 
advanced,  the  Sixth  poured  into  it  shell,  case  and  solid  shot, 
which,  with  the  stout  resistance  made  by  Smyth’s  and  Owen’s 
brigades,  hurled  back  the  rebel  line.  After  this,  desultory 
firing  occurred  until  the  11th,  when  the  battery  was  withdrawn 
from  the  front  and  next  day  marched  with  the  corps  for  Peters- 
bui'g.  On  the  16th  and  17th  of  June  Dow  engaged  the  enemy 
and  drove  him  out  of  position  at  the  Hare  house,  and  on  the 
18th  took  up  position  farther  in  advance  on  the  front  line  at 
the  Hare  house.  Here  he  had  a sharp  duel  with  the  enemy’s 
intrenched  battery,  at  short  range,  to  assist  in  a desperate 
charge  of  our  troops  upon  the  enemy’s  intrenchments.  In 
these  operations  the  battery  sustained  a large  loss  in  killed  and 


DOW’S  BATTERY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


345 


wounded.  The  battery  accompanied  Mott’s  (formerly  Bir- 
ney’s)  division  on  its  first  movement  north  of  the  James  in 
July,  and  again  in  the  second  movement,  August  14th,  when  one 
section  engaged  a Confederate  battery  ; these  engagements  were 
termed  Deep  Bottom.  On  its  return  to  Petersburg  the  battery 
was  placed  in  Fort  Davis  on  the  Jerusalem  Plank  road,  and  took 
its  place  as  one  of  the  siege  batteries.  It  remained  in  F ort  Davis, 
frequently  engaging  the  enemy,  until  October  2 2d,  when  it  was 
removed  to  Fort  McGilvery  (named  in  honor  of  its  former  com- 
mander) . Fort  McGilvery  overlooks  the  city  of  Petersburg  and 
is  situate  about  six  hundred  yards  from  the  rebel  forts,  near  the 
Appomattox  River.  The  battery  was  engaged  almost  daily  with 
the  rebel  batteries  opposite,  and  established  a reputation  for  the 
accuracy  of  its  practice. 

Lieutenant  Wiggin  resigned  on  the  1st  of  May,  and  Sergt. 
John  G.  Deane  of  Portland  was  promoted  Second  Lieutenant  (a)  . 

The  battery’s  original  term  of  service  expired  December 
31,  1864,  but  it  re-enlisted  for  three  years.  On  the  29th  of 
November  Captain  Dow  was  discharged  for  disability  and 
Lieut.  William  H.  Rogers  was  shortly  after  promoted  to  the 
Captaincy.  Sergt.  Joseph  W.  Burke  of  Lee  was  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant,  November  28th,  and  afterwards  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant. 

Captain  McGilvery,  after  his  promotion  to  held  officer,  was 
for  some  time  in  command  of  the  First  brigade  of  artillery 
reserve  with  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  He  was  a daring  and 
successful  officer  and  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  September  7,  1864,  he 
had  command  of  a hundred  guns.  Being  wounded  in  one  of 
his  lingers  at  Deep  Bottom,  and  it  being  necessary  to  amputate 
it,  chloroform  was  administered  to  him  for  the  purpose.  He 
died  during  the  operation. 

The  battery  was  filled  and  fully  equipped,  and  under  its  new 
Captain  (Rogers)  bade  fair  to  add  new  laurels  to  those  already 
attained  under  his  two  predecessors.  During  the  winter  of 
1864-5  it  kept  one  section  in  comfortable  quarters  near  Meade’s 

(a)  During  the  closing  portion  of  the  battery’s  service  Lieut.  Deane  served  as  act- 
ing aide-de-camp  upon  the  staff  of  General  Hazard,  Chief  of  Artillery,  Second  corps. 


346 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Station  on  the  line  of  the  railroad.  The  right  section,  under 
Lieut.  Samuel  Thurston,  was  stationed  in  the  right  front  of 
Fort  McGilvery,  the  left  section,  under  Lieutenant  Burke,  was 
allotted  to  "Battery  No.  9,”  a dug-out  redoubt  on  low  ground 
in  near  proximity  to  the  Confederate  Spring  Hill  battery,  and 
exposed  to  incessant  picket  tiring.  Both  of  these  positions  were 
under  the  enemy’s  guns,  many  of  the  latter  well  posted  across  the 
river.  Daily  artillery  practice  occurred  with  astonishingly  few 
casualties.  In  the  preliminary  movements  for  the  18(15  spring 
campaign  the  battery  was  withdrawn  from  its  winter  position, 
detached  from  the  Second  corps,  and  placed  where  need  required. 
In  the  final  assault  and  capture  of  the  Petersburg  works,  April 
2,  1865,  it  was  in  position  in  Fort  Sampson  on  the  Fifth  corps 
line.  Upon  the  evacuation  of  Petersburg  the  battery  joined  the 
artillery  reserve  at  City  Point.  May  3d  it  commenced  its  home- 
ward march,  by  way  of  Richmond,  Bowling  Green  and  Stafford, 
to  Alexandria,  Va.,  where  it  remained  until  transportation  to 
Maine  was  furnished.  Arriving  at  Augusta,  Me.,  June  7th,  it 
was  mustered  out  of  service  June  17,  1865. 

There  were  present  at  the  muster-out  174  men  and  officers. 
It  bore  upon  its  rolls  during  its  term  of  service  314  names,  45 
of  them,  who  were  original  members,  had  served  more  than 
three  and  a half  years.  While  in  service  33  were  killed  or 
died  of  wounds  or  disease.  There  were  sent  to  the  battery 
while  in  the  field  163  recruits. 

The  following  is  a list  of  the  principal  battles  and  engage- 
ments of  the  Sixth  battery  as  announced  in  general  orders  by  the 
War  Department : Cedar  Mountain,  Second  Bull  Run,  Chan- 
tilly, Antietam,  Gettysburg , Mine  Run,  Wilderness,  Spotsyl- 
vania, North  Anna,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg  and  Deep  Bottom. 

ROSTER. 

Captains. 

Freeman  McGilvery,  Feb.  3,  1862;  commissioned  Major  First  Regt.  Maine 
Mounted  Art’y,  Feb.  5,  1863;  Lieut. -Colonel,  June  23,  1863;  Colonel,  Sept.  1, 
1863,  — not  mustered  to  last  two  grades.  Died  Sept.  2,  1864,  from  effects  of 
wounds  in  action  of  Deep  Bottom,  Va. 

Edwin  B.  Dow,  Sept.  1,  1863,  promoted  from  First  Lieutenant;  dis- 


ROSTER  OF  SIXTH  MAINE  BATTERY. 


347 


charged  Nov.  29,  1864;  brevet  Major  of  Vol.  Art’y,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious conduct  at  battle  of  Gettysburg. 

William  H.  Rogers,  Dec.  7,  1S64;  mustered  out  with  battery  June  17, 
1S65;  originally  Second  Lieut.,  pro.  to  First  Lieut.  Mar.  2,  1863,  and  to  Capt. 

First  Lieutenants. 

George  H.  Smith,  Jan.  16,  1862;  resigned  Feb.  17,  1863. 

Edward  Wiggin,  Jr.,  Mar.  1,  1864,  discharged  May  3,  1864;  originally 
Private,  promoted  to  Sergt.,  promoted  to  Second  Lieut.,  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant. 

Samuel  Thurston,  July  12,  1864,  mustered  out  with  battery  June  17,  1865; 
originally  Private,  promoted  to  Sergt.,  promoted  to  Second  Lieut.,  Mar.  1, 
1864,  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 

Joseph  W.  Burke,  Jan.  11,  1865,  mustered  out  with  battery  June  17,  1865; 
originally  Private,  promoted  to  Sergt.,  promoted  to  Second  Lieut.,  Nov.  28, 
1864,  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Frederick  A.  Morton,  Feb.  1,  1862;  resigned  Sept.  24,  1862. 

Orville  W.  Merrill,  commissioned  Oct.  1,  1862;  resigned  Jan.  29,  1863; 
originally  Sergeant. 

William  H.  Gallison,  Mar.  2,  1863;  resigned  June,  1863;  originally  Sergt., 
promoted  to  First  Sergt.,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

Marshall  N.  McKusick,  Mar.  1,  1864;  discharged  Nov.  17,  1864;  origi- 
nally Corp’l,  promoted  to  Sergt.,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

John  G.  Deane,  June  28,  1864,  mustered  out  with  battery  June  17,  1865; 
originally  Private,  promoted  to  Sergt.,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

Elias  D.  Libby,  Jan.  11,  1865,  mustered  out  with  battery  June  17,  1865; 
promoted  from  Private. 


348 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MONUMENT 


OF 

COMPANY  D,  MAINE  VOLUNTEERS, 

SECOND  UNITED  STATES  SHARPSHOOTERS. 

The  monument  of  company  D,  Second  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  is  placed 
on  a cross-road  leading  easterly  out  of  the  Emmitsburg  road,  towards  Big 
Round  Top,  and  to  the  Slyder  buildings.  Its  position  is  about  five  hundred 
yards  from  the  Emmitsburg  road,  and  about  seven  hundred  yards  south- 
westerly from  Devil’s  Den.  It  is  a polished  die  of  white  granite,  resting 
upon  a rough,  white  granite  base. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  3 feet  4 inches  by  3 feet  4 inches  by  1 foot  6 
inches;  die,  2 feet  6 inches  by  2 feet  6 inches  by  3 feet  3 inches.  Total  height, 
4 feet  9 inches. 

The  inscription  is:  — 

Company  D, 

Maine  Volunteers, 

2nd  U.  S.  Sharpshooters. 

July  2,  1863. 

Killed  1. 

Wounded  5. 

Missing  5. 


S.SIMPSflfiGTEI-iS 


julv  :■  1603: 


KILLED  l. 
WUUMnEIJ  s 


missing  i\ 


A • -•■-  " W^-'r- 

"v 


COMPANY  D,  SECOND  U.  S.  SHARPSHOOTERS, 

SECOND  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION,  THIRD  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 

COMPANY  D,  of  the  Second  United  States  Sharpshooters, 
of  Ward’s  brigade,  was  composed  of  Maine  soldiers,  vol- 
unteers from  Rockland  and  various  towns.  Captain  Jacob 
McClure,  of  Rockland,  commanded  the  company  at  Gettysburg. . 
The  two  regiments  of  Sharpshooters  in  Ward’s  brigade  were  the 
best  known  regiments  in  the  army.  Recruited  from  picked 
men  from  different  states,  they  were  enlisted  like  regulars  for 
the  reason  that  no  single  state  could  furnish  the  material  for  a 
regiment  of  such  fine  marksmen.  No  recruit  was  eligible  who 
could  not  make  ten  consecutive  shots  whose  aggregate  distance 
from  the  centre  of  the  target  would  " string  ” less  than  fifty 
inches,  an  average  of  less  than  five  inches  for  each  shot ; the 
distance  being  six  hundred  feet  at  a rest,  or  three  hundred  feet 
off  hand.  Many  of  the  men  could  at  that  distance  put  the  shots 
inside  the  bull’s  eye.  The  class  of  men  were  on  a high  grade 
for  physical  qualifications  and  intelligence  (a) . 

On  the  morning  of  July  2d,  prior  to  the  occupation  of  Little 
Round  Top  by  our  lines,  the  regiment  was  ordered  (b)  to  take 
position  near  the  northern  base  of  that  eminence,  on  the  pro- 
longation eastward  of  the  cross-road  which  borders  the  Peach 
Orchard,  to  cover  the  valley  of  Devil’s  Den  ; and  in  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  several  companies  Captain  McClure  and  his  com- 
pany were  posted  in  the  valley,  or  ravine  as  it  seemed  to 
them.  This  position  was  held  until  about  2 p.  m.,  when  the 
regiment  was  ordered  to  advance  southwesterly  towards  the 
Emmitsburg  road.  It  moved  through  the  woods  to  the  south 
of  Devil’s  Den  and  the  Wheatfield,  advancing  until  it  reached 
another  cross-road  which  leads  to  the  Emmitsburg  road.  The 

(a)  Fox's  “ Regimental  Losses  in  the  Civil  War.” 

(b)  See  official  report  of  Lieut.-Col.  H.  R.  Stoughton,  commanding  the  regiment, 
post. 


350 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


right  of  the  regiment  stopped  upon  this  road,  company  D being 
the  right  company  of  the  regiment ; then  the  left  of  the  regi- 
ment wheeled  up  to  be  more  nearly  parallel  with  the  Emmits- 
burg  road.  Company  D did  not  advance  far  beyond  a house 
known  then  as  the  Slyder  house.  Getting  into  a general  line 
conforming  to  the  natural  aspect  of  the  country,  the  men  rested 
comfortably  for  nearly  two  hours.  There  were  no  skirmishers 
or  pickets  or  Union  troops  connecting  on  either  flank  of  the 
Sharpshooters.  Ward  threw  forward  skirmishers  from  the  20th 
Ind.  and  99th  Penn,  regiments  when  lie  had  established  his 
line  of  battle  ; these  did  not  go  out  so  far  as  company  D,  but 
were  ordered  to  support  the  Sharpshooters.  The  result  of  this 
disposition  of  troops  was  that,  when  Robertson  advanced,  he  took 
the  skirmish  lines  in  broken  flanks,  and  they  had  to  retire  to  the 
general  line  of  battle.  Nor  could  they  in  any  event  have  done 
much  to  restrain  the  onward  rush  of  heavy  lines  of  battle. 

Hood’s  division  was  at  this  time  moving  southerly,  at  the 
west  of  the  Emmitsburg  road  and  gradually  approaching  it,  to 
get  beyond  and  to  strike  the  Union  left ; and  the  Sharpshooters 
were  sent  out  to  watch  t hat  approach  to  our  lines,  and  if  the 
enemy  approached,  to  skirmish  with  him  and  retard  his  advance. 
After  a preliminary  engagement  of  short  duration  with  the 
enemy’s  skirmishers,  or  his  first  line  of  battle  in  rather  open 
order,  the  heavy  Confederate  battle  lines  appeared.  Hood’s 
men  were  advancing  towards  Little  Round  Top  and  the  hill  of 
Devil’s  Den.  This  line  covered  the  entire  front  and  flank  of  the 
Sharpshooters  ; but  the  latter  nevertheless  assailed  it  valiantly. 
Their  fire  was  so  severe  that  one  Confederate  regiment  broke 
three  times  before  it  would  advance.  When  Hood’s  line  was 
within  one  hundred  yards,  and  when  their  skirmishers  were 
pressing  in  on  the  right  flank  of  the  Sharpshooters,  the  latter 
retired,  although  they  still  kept  up  a vigorous  fire  upon  the 
Confederates.  A portion  of  the  company  retiring,  as  the  lines 
of  the  enemy  swiftly  advanced,  found  themselves  at  the  south 
end  of  Devil’s  Den  ridge,  and  made  a stand  behind  the  fences 
and  bowlders  of  that  wild  spot,  falling  in  with  the  skirmishers 
of  the  Fourth  Maine,  whence  they  all  poured  an  annoying  fire 
into  the  flanks  of  Hood’s  line,  as  his  men  essayed  to  carry  these 
natural  defenses.  This  interruption  in  the  movement  caused 


major  Stoughton’s  official  report. 


351 


the  separation  of  the  enemy’s  attack  into  two  separate  parts  and 
places.  The  larger  portion  of  the  Second  Sharpshooters  fell 
back  before  blood’s  troops,  as  they  advanced  across  Plum  Run 
valley,  and  took  every  advantage  afforded  by  the  nature  of  the 
ground  to  hinder  and  break  the  force  of  the  attack,  leading  a 
portion  of  Law’s  brigade  to  follow  them  well  up  towards  the 
summit  of  Big  Round  Top.  It  was  a scattered  regiment,  but 
the  men  were  trained  for  just  such  emergencies,  and  every  man 
could  light  his  own  battle. 

When  Benning  made  his  assault,  about  5:30  p.  m.,  upon 
Devil’s  Den  he  took  our  skirmishers  in  flank  and  cut  off  their 
retreat  to  the  main  line,  thus  capturing  many  of  the  Fourth 
Maine  skirmishers  and  some  of  company  D with  them. 

On  July  3d  the  regiment  was  on  the  line  immediately  in  rear 
of  Stannard’s  brigade  of  the  First  corps ; a squad  volunteered 
to  go  out,  and  they  silenced  some  advanced  artillery  of  the 
enemy ; otherwise  it  was  not  engaged.  July  4th  it  was  sent 
out  westerly  of  the  Emmitsburg  road,  in  front  of  the  Union 
centre,  as  a picket  or  skirmish  line,  and  came  into  close  contact 
with  the  pickets  of  the  enemy,  who  were  posted  in  a wood.  A 
sharp  fire  was  kept  up  all  day,  with  quite  a loss  to  the  regiment. 
Company  D had  men  not  over  twenty  paces  from  the  Confeder- 
ates. It  lost  First  Sergeant  Gray,  instantly  killed,  and  another 
man  wounded ; the  total  loss  of  the  company  in  the  three  days 
being  eleven  out  of  twenty-seven,  including  Captain  McClure 
wounded.  As  the  total  loss  of  the  regiment  was  forty-one,  it 
will  be  seen  that  company  D sustained  a large  percentage  of  it. 

OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  MAJ.  HOMER  R.  STOUGHTON. 

H’dqrs  Second  Regiment  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  July  27,  1863. 

Captain:  I have  the  honor  to  report  the  operations  of  the  Second  U.  S. 
Sharpshooters  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  as  follows:  — 

On  the  morning  of  July  2d  I was  placed  in  line  on  the  extreme  left  of  the 
Third  corps,  remaining  there  for  nearly  one  hour,  when  the  Colonel  com- 
manding instructed  me  to  place  my  command  in  a position  to  cover  a ravine 
near  Sugar  Loaf  Hill  [Little  Round  Top],  which  I did  by  putting  company  H 
on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  with  vedettes  overlooking  the  ravine,  and  company 
D in  the  ravine  near  the  woods,  to  watch  the  enemy’s  movements  in  that 
direction.  Companies  A,  E,  G and  C formed  a line  perpendicular  to  the 
cross-road  that  intersects  with  the  Emmitsburg  pike.  Companies  B and  F 
I held  in  reserve. 


352 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG . 


I remained  in  this  position  until  about  2 p.  m.,  when  General  Ward 
directed  that  I should  deploy  my  regiment  across  the  ravine  and  through  the 
woods  on  the  right,  and  advance.  I moved  forward  to  a brook  [Plum  Run] 
some  two  hundred  yards  beyond  a second  cross-road,  running  perpendicular 
to  the  Emmitsburg  pike,  and  intersecting  with  it  in  front  of  Sugar  Loaf  Hill. 
I sent  forward  scouts  to  reconnoiter  the  ground.  I then  rode  out  perhaps 
the  distance  of  half  a mile,  and  discovered  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  advancing 
on  my  right,  which,  being  unsupported  by  any  connection  with  skirmishers  on 
my  right,  I was  compelled  to  withdraw  to  protect  my  flank.  In  this  position 
we  had  but  little  time  to  wait.  The  enemy’s  skirmishers  advanced  to  the  top 
of  the  hill  in  our  front,  and  immediately  after  they  placed  a battery  directly 
in  our  front,  and  being  too  far  for  our  range,  I sent  forward  a few  men  under 
cover  of  woods  on  the  left,  and  silenced  one  piece  nearest  us. 

The  enemy  then  advanced  a line  of  battle  covering  our  entire  front  and 
flank.  While  they  were  advancing,  the  Second  regiment  did  splendid  execu- 
tion, killing  and  wounding  a great  many.  One  regiment  broke  three  times 
and  rallied,  before  it  would  advance.  I held  my  position  until  their  line  of 
battle  was  within  one  hundred  yards  of  me  and  their  skirmishers  were  push- 
ing my  right  flank,  when  I ordered  my  men  to  fall  back,  firing  as  they  retired. 
My  left  wing  retreated  up  the  hill  and  allowed  the  enemy  to  pass  up  the  ravine, 
when  they  poured  a destructive  fire  into  his  flank  and  rear. 

Here  Adjutant  Norton,  with  about  a dozen  men,  captured  and  sent  to  the 
rear  twenty-two  prisoners.  Special  mention  should  be  made  of  this  officer 
for  his  coolness  and  bravery  during  this  day’s  engagement. 

The  right  wing  fell  back  gradually  until  they  mingled  with  the  regiments 
composing  the  Second  brigade,  and  remained  till  night,  when  the  brigade 
was  relieved. 

In  this  day’s  action  were  wounded  Captains  E.  T.  Rowell  (acting  Major), 
J.  McClure  and  A.  Buxton.  Our  loss  was  twenty-eight,  killed,  wounded  and 
missing.  Among  the  missing  was  Lieut.  D.  B.  Pettijohn,  company  A. 

On  the  3d  instant  the  Second  regiment  was  not  engaged,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  about  a dozen  volunteers,  who  went  out  to  the  front  of  the  breastworks 
of  the  First  army  corps  to  silence  one  of  the  enemy’s  guns,  which  was  accom- 
plished, losing  one  killed  and  one  wounded. 

On  the  4th  instant  I was  ordered  to  move  forward  to  the  Emmitsburg 
pike,  a few  hundred  yards  to  the  left  of  the  cemetery,  and  to  deploy  four  com- 
panies to  skirmish  through  the  field  to  the  woods  in  front.  The  enemy  was 
driven  back  to  his  earthworks,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred 
yards  from  his  first  position.  We  held  this  position  through  the  day,  under 
a sharp  fire  from  his  sharpshooters. 

The  regiment  sustained  a loss  this  day  of  three  killed  and  eight  wounded. 
Among  the  wounded  was  Lieutenant  Law,  company  E. 

At  7:30  p.  m.  I was  relieved  by  a New  Jersey  regiment,  of  the  Sixth  corps, 
and  rejoined  the  brigade. 

I have  the  honor  to  remain,  your  obedient  servant, 

Homer  R.  Stoughton, 

Major , Commanding  Second  U.  S.  Sharpshooters. 

Capt.  John  M.  Cooney, 

A.  A.  G.,  Second  Brigade , First  Division,  Third  Army  Corps. 

— Rebellion  Records , Series  /,  Vol.  xxvii.,  page  518. 


COMPANY  D PARTICIPANTS  AND  CASUALTIES. 


353 


PARTICIPANTS. 


Captain,  Jacob  McClure,  Rockland. 


SERGEANTS. 


First  Sergeant,  Josiah  Gray,  Prentiss, 

Stephen  C.  Barker,  Island  Falls,  John  E.  Wade,  Rockland, 


Edgar  Crockett,  Rockland, 

George  H.  Coffin,  Cherryfield, 
Argyl  D.  Morse,  Rockland, 
Richard  C.  Boynton,  Jefferson. 


James  M.  Matthews,  Rockland. 

CORPORALS. 

George  U.  Leighton,  Jonesport, 
John  H.  Rounds,  Portland, 


Allen,  John  B.,  Marshfield, 

Bragg,  Barzillai  E.,  Rockland, 
Dunbar,  Oscar,  Cherryfield, 
Jameson,  John  J.,  Rockland, 
Lindsay,  Edward,  Rockland, 
Morey,  Albion,  Machias, 

Salley,  James  F.,  Madison, 
Wentworth,  Charles  O.,  Rockland, 


PRIVATES. 

Bradbury,  James  C.,  Burlington, 
Brown,  Henry,  Rockland, 
Emerson,  Stillman  M.,  Addison, 
Ladd,  Francis  W.,  Vienna, 
McLain,  Simon,  Lowell, 
Pendleton,  James  N.,  Rockland, 
Sullivan,  John,  Addison, 

Young,  William  H.,  Sidney. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  Luther  G.  Davis, 
Cherryfield,  pioneer  corps  at  brig,  h’dqrs.  Privates,  Albert  Bickford,  Carra- 
tunk  Plantation,  amb.  corps;  JohnM.  Hussey,  China,  regt’l  teamster;  Wilson 
R.  Woodward,  Bangor,  regt’l  quarterm’r  dept.;  William  A.  McFarland, 
Cherryfield,  Charles  S.  White,  Greenbush,  amb.  corps;  John  M.  Wilson, 
Rockland,  teamster  div.  h’dqrs. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

Captain  Jacob  McClure,  wounded,  July  2. 

First  Sergeant  Josiah  Gray,  killed,  July  4. 

Sergeant  John  E.  Wade,  wounded,  July  2. 

CORPORALS. 

Argyl  D.  Morse,  prisoner,  July  2. 

John  H.  Rounds,  prisoner,  July  2. 

Richard  C.  Boynton,  prisoner,  July  2. 

PRIVATES. 

Allen,  John  B.,  wounded,  July  2. 

Bradbury,  James  C.,  wounded,  July  2. 

Ladd,  Francis  W.,  prisoner,  July  2. 

Pendleton,  James  N.,  wounded,  July  4. 

Wentworth,  Charles  O.,  reported  missing;  discharged  Sept.  25. 

The  “prisoners”  were  reported  at  the  time  as  missing,  and  so  appear 
upon  the  monument. 


354 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

COMPILED  BY  THE  EDITORS. 

This  company  was  raised  in  accordance  with  the  request  in 
September,  1861,  from  the  Secretary  of  War  to  the  Governor 
of  Maine,  to  have  raised  a company  of  Rifle  Sharpshooters, 
selected  from  the  best  rifle  shots  in  the  state.  James  D.  Fessen- 
den, of  Portland,  the  son  of  Senator  William  Pitt  Fessenden, 
was  appointed  by  the  Governor  to  superintend  the  formation 
of  the  company,  to  consist  of  three  commissioned  officers  and 
ninety-seven  enlisted  men,  to  be  mustered  into  United  States 
service  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war.  Fessenden  secured 
the  co-operation  of  Lieuts.  Jacob  McClure  at  Rockland,  Silas 
C.  Barker  at  Augusta,  and  R.  R.  Park  of  the  Veazie  Rifles  at 
Bangor,  to  supervise  the  work. 

The  required  number  of  marksmen  having  volunteered  from 
different  sections  of  the  state,  the  equipment  and  organization 
of  the  company  was  completed  at  Augusta,  Me.,  November  8, 
1861.  The  original  organization  of  the  company  was  as  follows  : 

Captain,  James  D.  Fessenden,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Jacob  McClure,  Rockland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Silas  C.  Barker,  Augusta. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Lorenzo  Hall,  Rockland, 

Albion  Morey,  Machias,  Stephen  C.  Barker,  Island  Falls, 

Asa  Conary,  Bluehill,  George  E.  Nash,  Cherryfield. 

CORPORALS. 

James  A.  Stevens,  Steuben,  Edwin  P.  Morse,  Rockland, 

William  A.  McFarland,  Cherryfield,  Maxcey  Hamlin,  Winslow, 

Bingham  S.  Edgeley,  Greenbush,  Wilson  R.  Woodward,  Bangor, 

Josiah  Gray,  Prentiss. 

Musician:  Warren  Ladd,  Vienna. 

The  company  left  the  state  November  13,  1861,  with  the 
Eleventh  regiment,  and  on  arrival  at  Washington  was  attached 
to  the  Second  regiment  of  Berdan’s  U.  S.  Sharpshooters  as 
company  D.  It  was  known  that  an  organization  of  such  marks- 


COMPANY  D HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


355 


men  was  being  formed,  under  the  influence  of  Hiram  Berdan, 
a distinguished  expert  rifleman,  drawn  from  various  states,  to 
which  the  Maine  company  should  be  attached,  and  to  be  armed 
with  superior  rifles.  At  first  several  sorts  of  arms  were  in  use, 
in  some  cases  those  owned  by  the  soldier  ; some  were  furnished 
with  globe  sights  at  great  cost.  In  the  course  of  time,  how- 
ever, the  breech-loading  Sharp’s  rifle  was  proved  to  be  the  best 
adapted  and  most  effective,  and  was  uniformly  furnished  by 
the  government.  The  company  was  stationed  at  or  near 
Washington,  in  Camp  of  Instruction,  until  March  19th,  when 
the  regiment  broke  camp  and  joined  General  Augur’s  brigade 
of  King’s  division,  then  attached  to  General  McDowell’s  corps. 
On  Wednesday,  May  31st,  while  being  transported  by  railroad 
from  Catlett’s  Station  to  Rectortown,  a collision  of  the  cars 
killed  one  and  wounded  twenty-two,  materially  reducing  the 
strength  of  the  company  already  diminished  by  sickness  and 
discharge. 

We  copy  from  the  active-service  report  of  company  D, 
Second  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  since  leaving  Camp  of  Instruction 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  March  19,  1862,  and  ending  December 
31,  1863,  made  by  Captain  Jacob  McClure  : — 

"Left  Camp  of  Instruction  March  19,  1862,  for  camp  Will- 
iams, near  Alexandria,  Ya.,  sixteen  miles  from  former  camp; 
arrived  there  March  20th,  and  there  joined  the  brigade  of  Gen- 
eral Augur,  in  King’s  division.  Left  camp  Williams  April  5th 
and  arrived  at  Bristoe  Station  evening  of  April  6th,  where  we 
camped  until  April  15th,  on  which  day  we  marched  towards 
Falmouth,  Ya.,  via  Warrenton  Junction,  arriving  at  latter 
place  same  night.  Left  there  morning  of  April  17th  for  Fal- 
mouth, marching  a distance  of  thirty  miles  within  fifteen  hours, 
and,  with  little  opposition  from  rebel  cavalry  and  infantry,  we 
entered  Falmouth.  After  entering  the  town,  as  the  enemy  had 
fired  the  bridges  connecting  it  with  Fredericksburg,  our  com- 
pany was  detailed  to  extinguish  the  flames  within  range  of  rebel 
sharpshooters  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  We  soon  dis- 
persed them  by  a few  well-directed  shots  and  partially  saved 
the  bridge.  Encamped  at  Falmouth  until  May  25th,  at  which 


356 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


time  we  left,  camping  for  the  night  about  eight  miles  south 
of  Fredericksburg,  near  Fairview.  Counter-marching  on  the 
morning  of  the  29th,  we  started  to  the  relief  of  General  Banks, 
in  the  Valley.  We  arrived  at  Catlett’s  Station  May  31st,  and 
there  took  cars  for  Front  Royal,  Va.,  via  Manassas  Junction. 
When  near  White  Plains,  about  3 o’clock  on  the  morning  of 
June  1st,  the  train  in  our  rear  by  some  mismanagement  came 
into  collision  with  ours,  nearly  demolishing  several  cars,  killing- 
one  man  and  wounding  twenty-two  others,  some  severely,  all 
of  our  company.  We  left  the  scene  of  our  disaster  same 
evening  and  arrived  at  Rectortown.  Remaining  there  in  the 
cars  until  the  evening  of  June  2d,  we  went  back  by  rail  to 
Haymarket,  Va.,  near  Thoroughfare  Gap.  There  we  remained 
in  camp  until  June  6th,  when  we  left  for  Warrenton,  arriving 
the  same  night,  and  remained  there  until  June  8th  ; from  there 
we  marched  to  Elk  Run,  Va.  We  remained  there  until  June 
14th,  when  we  left  for  Falmouth,  arriving  there  June  1 5th,  and 
there  remained  in  camp  until  August  5th ; this  day  we  left  on 
reconnaissance,  proceeding  some  thirty  miles  into  the  enemy’s 
country  south  of  Fredericksburg.  We  returned  August  8th, 
having  accomplished  our  object,  destroying  an  important  bridge 
on  the  Bowling  Green  road  and  taking  an  immense  quantity  of 
forage,  horses,  mules  and  cattle. 

" We  left  Falmouth  August  10th,  arriving  at  Culpeper 
evening  of  August  11th,  making  a distance  of  forty-six  miles 
in  about  thirty-one  hours.  Remained  at  Culpeper  in  camp  until 
August  16th,  then  marched  toward  the  Rapidan,  encamping  near 
Cedar  Mountain  until  August  19th.  A retreat  was  then  ordered, 
and  we  marched  to  Rappahannock  Station,  arriving  there  in  the 
morning  of  the  20th.  Our  regiment  acted  as  rear  guard,  and 
had  hardly  crossed  the  river  when  the  rebel  cavalry  made  their 
appearance.  We  had  lost  but  one  man  up  to  this  time  (private 
A.  W.  Hutchins),  who  was  unwell  and  was  overtaken  by  the 
advance  guard  of  the  rebels ; he  was  afterwards  exchanged, 
but  died  at  Fort  Delaware.  The  enemy  made  several  desperate 
attempts  to  cross.  We  were  in  line  of  battle  and  under  a ter- 
rific fire  of  shell  and  canister  for  three  days,  with  occasional 


COMPANY  D HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


357 


tiring  during  the  nights.  The  company,  commanded  by  Captain 
McClure,  was  detailed  to  go  to  the  river  and  ascertain  where 
the  enemy  were  crossing  to  our  side.  While  performing  this 
important  duty,  and  just  as  we  discovered  them,  a company  of 
rebel  cavalry,  sixty  strong,  charged  on  us ; our  little  company 
of  twenty-eight  men,  deployed  as  skirmishers,  repulsed  and 
scattered  them  in  every  direction,  killing  two,  wounding  sev- 
eral, and  taking  their  Captain  and  two  privates  prisoners.  -None 
of  our  men  were  injured.  While  here  we  were  supporting  bat- 
teries at  times,  and  in  this  duty  our  regiment  lost  six  killed  and 
several  wounded. 

" On  the  23d  of  August  our  regiment  was  on  picket  and  under 
a severe  artillery  fire,  which  lasted  about  two  hours  ; several  of 
the  regiment  were  wounded,  and  one  man  in  our  company,  pri- 
vate Washington  Tucker,  received  a wound  which  resulted  in 
his  death  shortly  afterwards.  On  the  23d  we  started  for  War- 
renton,  where  we  remained  until  August  26th,  when  the  regi- 
ment was  detached  to  General  Patrick’s  brigade,  and  marched 
to  White  Sulphur  Springs.  There  we  were  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers, and  were  ordered  to  drive  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  to 
the  other  side.  Brisk  skirmishing  ensued,  which  lasted  some 
six  hours  and  resulted  in  our  driving  the  enemy  across  the 
river.  This  was  the  fairest  test  we  have  ever  had  between 
rebel  sharpshooters  and  ours.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  was 
three  killed.  The  rebels  lost  thirty. 

"We  marched  August  27th  in  the  direction  of  Manassas 
Junction.  When  near  Groveton,  next  day,  we  discovered  the 
enemy  in  force.  During  the  night  we  were  compelled  to  fall 
back  to  Manassas  ; remained  there  until  the  29th,  when  we  were 
ordered  forward  to  the  same  ground  we  had  before  occupied, 
our  company  supporting  two  pieces  of  artillery  stationed  near 
the  Seabury  road.  About  dark  the  rebels  attacked  us  in  over- 
whelming force,  and  we  were  driven  back.  In  this  action  Lieu- 
tenant Barker  was  taken  prisoner.  Private  James  F.  Sally  was 
wounded,  and  private  John  Jordan  killed.  We  had  but  twelve 
enlisted  men  in  this  battle.  The  rest  of  the  company  were 
completely  exhausted  by  the  severe  marching,  counter-marching 
and  fighting  of  the  past  ten  days,  with  short  rations. 


358 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


"We  lay  by  the  roadside  until  about  noon  of  August  30th, 
when  another  advance  on  the  enemy  was  ordered.  We  were  on 
the  right  and  deployed  as  skirmishers  ; the  fighting  became  so 
fierce  that  we  lost  sight  of  the  right  wing  of  our  regiment,  and 
our  company,  with  the  remainder  of  the  left  wing,  joined  one 
of  the  Penn.  Reserve  regiments,  where  we  fought  in  closed  ranks 
during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  We  fell  back  to  Centreville 
on  the  night  of  August  30th,  broken  and  disordered,  where  we 
remained  until  September  1st,  when  we  moved  to  Fairfax  and 
encamped  for  the  night,  and  on  the  2d  fell  back  to  Falls  Church, 
where  we  encamped  until  September  7th ; we  marched  into 
Maryland  September  9th,  eight  miles  from  Washington,  D.  C., 
on  the  Harper’s  Ferry  road.  From  there  we  marched,  by  way 
of  Brookville  and  Lisbon,  to  Frederick,  Md.,  where  we  arrived 
September  12th.  September  14th  we  mai’chedto  South  Moun- 
tain, and  came  upon  the  enemy  in  force.  We  engaged  them 
about  3 r.  m.,  our  regiment  being  deployed  as  skirmishers  and 
leading  the  attack.  Night  found  the  enemy  completely  routed 
after  a brisk  fight.  On  the  morning  of  the  15th  we  pursued 
them,  encamping  about  two  miles  from  Keedysville  and  the 
enemy’s  line.  September  16th  our  regiment  was  deployed 
and  sent  forward  to  feel  the  enemy’s  line.  Slight  skirmishing 
ensued,  in  which  one  man  in  our  company,  private  Wellington 
(Arthur  W.)  Tucker  was  wounded,  and  died  the  same  night. 
After  our  object  was  accomplished  we  fell  back  a short  distance, 
and  lay  on  our  arms  all  night.  At  Antietam,  on  the  morning 
of  the  17th,  we  advanced  in  close  column  line  of  battle,  the 
regiment,  with  its  brigade  (First  brigade,  First  division, 
Hooker’s  corps),  forming  the  extreme  right  of  Doubleday’s 
division.  We  fought  continually  for  four  hours,  during  which 
time  our  regiment  lost  three  officers  and  ten  men  killed,  three 
officers  and  forty-eight  men  wounded,  and  two  missing.  The 
loss  of  the  company  was  six. 

"September  19th  went  into  camp  near  Sharpsburg,  Md. 
October  20th  marched  to  Bakersville,  where  we  remained  until 
the  26th,  when  we  marched  to  Berlin.  On  the  30th  crossed 
the  Potomac  and  encamped  near  Lovettsville,  Ya.  November 


COMPANY  D HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


359 


1st  marched  to  Purcellville,  remaining  there  until  the  3d,  when 
we  resumed  the  march  and  arrived  at  Warrenton  on  the  6th. 
November  11th  marched  for  Brooke’s  Station,  between  Falmouth 
and  Acquia  Creek,  where  we  remained  in  camp  until  December 
10th,  when  we  marched  towards  Fredericksburg,  and  crossed 
the  river  three  miles  below.  On  the  night  of  December  12th 
camped  under  the  enemy’s  guns,  and  on  morning  of  December 
13th  we  were  ordered  forward,  deployed  as  skirmishers  on  the 
extreme  left  of  Franklin’s  corps,  our  left  resting  on  the  river 
bank.  During  the  day  we  advanced  about  a mile  and  a half, 
driving  the  enemy  from  their  fortifications,  capturing  several 
men  and  one  commissioned  officer.  Stood  picket  through  night 
of  13th ; the  14th  we  lay  in  line  of  battle  all  day ; at  night 
on  picket;  15th  on  picket  all  day,  skirmishing  quite  lively; 
recrossed  the  river  night  of  December  15th.  Our  loss  in  battle 
was  nothing.  One  man,  a straggler  (private  Edwin  Thompson, 
of  our  company),  was  left  behind  and  was  captured  by  the 
enemy.  From  this  date  until  April  28,  1863,  were  in  winter 
quarters,  doing  the  usual  camp  duty.”  [The  First  and  Second 
regiments  of  U.  S.  Sharpshooters  now  constituted  the  Third 
brigade,  under  Col.  Hiram  Berdan,  of  the  Third  division  of 
Third  corps.] 

"Tuesday,  April  28th,  left  camp  near  Stoneman’s  Station 
and  marched  with  the  corps  towards  Fredericksburg,  and 
camped  three  miles  below.  Remained  there  in  reserve  for  the 
First  army  corps  until  the  30th  ; marched  and  crossed  the  Rap- 
pahannock at  IT.  S.  Ford  May  1st.  May  2d  advanced  two 
miles  south  of  the  Gordonsville  road,  in  the  direction  of  Spot- 
sylvania Couid  House,  where  we  encountered  the  enemy,  and 
after  sharp  fighting  captured  a number  of  prisoners,  actually 
larger  than  our  own  force  engaged.  Owing  to  the  disaster  to 
the  Eleventh  corps,  the  regiment  was  compelled  to  fall  back  fp 
within  one-half  mile  of  the  Gordonsville  road,  where  we  were 
entirely  cut  off  and  surrounded  by  the  enemy.  After  sharp 
fighting  in  the  night,  we  opened  communication  with  General 
Hooker,  and  fell  back  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  to  Chancellors- 
ville.  May  3d  and  4th  we  were  constantly  engaged  with  the 


360 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


enemy’s  sharpshooters.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  retreated 
with  the  army  across  the  river  and  went  into  our  old  camp  (a) . 
June  1st  were  still  in  camp  at  Stoneman’s  Station.  July  1st, 
after  severe  marching,  were  at  Taneytown,  Md. 

"We  were  constantly  engaged  three  days  in  the  battle  at 
and  near  Gettysburg,  July  2d,  3d,  and  4th,  in  which  eleven 
were  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  missing  and  prisoners  from  the 
company.  August  1st  were  at  Warrenton,  Ya.  ; September 
1st  were  at  White  Sulphur  Springs  ; October  1st,  at  Culpeper  ; 
December  1st,  at  Brandy  Station,  Ya.,  where  we  remain, 
December  31st.  The  company  has  re-pnlistcd  for  the  war.” 

After  re-enlisting,  the  veterans  received  a furlough  for  a 
few  weeks,  and  many  homes  in  Maine  were  made  happy  by  the 
presence  of  these  heroes,  whose  lives  were  newly  pledged  to 
the  Union.  The  ranks  of  the  company  had  doubled  in  length 
with  recruits  when  it  again  took  the  field,  before  the  campaign 
opened.  Captain  McClure  and  Lieutenant  Cummings  having 
been  discharged  for  disability,  First  Sergeant  Stephen  C.  Bar- 
ker was  promoted  to  Captain,  and  Sergeant  Crockett  to  First 
Lieutenant. 

In  the  consolidation  of  the  army  under  Grant,  in  the  spring 
of  1864,  the  Second  Sharpshooters  remained  in  Ward’s  brigade, 
now  belonging  to  Third  division  of  the  Second  corps ; the 
Third  Maine  was  in  this  brigade,  and  both  took  part  in  the 
same  engagements  in  the  campaign  of  1864  until  the  4th  of 
June  ; and  after  that,  the  Seventeenth  Maine  having  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  First  brigade  on  June  1st,  the  fighting  and  march- 
ing of  company  D of  the  Sharpshooters  can  be  traced  in  the 
history  of  the  Seventeenth  until  the  end  of  the  war  ; although 
the  duties  of  the  Sharpshooters  differed  somewhat  from  the  other 
infantry,  being  to  a greater  degree  as  skirmishers.  The  record 
of  company  D attests  that  in  the  battles  and  engagements  in 
1864  at  the  Wilderness,  Po  River,  Spotsylvania,  Fredericks- 

(a)  After  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  in  which  General  Berry  and  General 
Whipple,  commanding  respectively  the  Second  and  Third  divisions  of  the  Third 
corps,  wex-e  both  killed,  the  Third  division  was  broken  up  and  its  parts  united  to  the 
First  and  Second  divisions  of  the  corps.  The  First  and  Second  regiments  of  Sharp- 
shooters were  united  to  Ward’s  (First)  brigade  of  the  First  division. 


COMPANY  I)  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


361 


burg  Pike,  North  Anna,  Totopotomy,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg, 
Jerusalem  Road,  Deep  Bottom,  Peeble’s  Farm,  Boydton  Road, 
Hatcher’s  Run  and  other  minor  actions  during  the  siege  of 
Petersburg,  its  men  never  faltered.  These  engagements,  added 
to  its  list  of  previous  years,  which  included  Rappahannock  Sta- 
tion, Sulphur  Springs,  Gainesville,  Second  Bull  Run,  South 
Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  The  Cedars,  Chancellors- 
ville,  Gettysburg,  Wapping  Heights,  Auburn,  Kelly’s  Ford, 
Locust  Grove  and  Mine  Run,  make  the  sequence  through  the 
three  years  complete. 

During  the  months  of  May  and  June,  1864,  the  regiment 
lost  two  hundred  and  twenty-three,  of  whom  one  hundred  and 
eighty  were  in  killed  and  wounded  ; in  the  same  time  company 
D had  seven  killed,  eleven  wounded,  including  Captain  Barker, 
and  eight  missing. 

The  great  losses  and  hardships  of  the  campaign  reduced  the 
ranks  fearfully,  and  yet  the  men  were  of  such  good  metal  that 
when  in  winter  quarters  in  January,  1865,  after  the  consolida- 
tion of  the  First,  which  had  only  about  sixty  men  whose  terms 
of  service  had  not  expired,  into  the  Second  regiment,  there 
were  over  two  hundred  present  for  duty.  Captain  Barker  was 
discharged,  and  Lieutenant  Crockett  was  promoted  to  Captain, 
and  Sergeant  James  M.  Matthews  had  been  commissioned  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant,  and  later  First  Lieutenant,  and  was  acting  as 
Adjutant  of  the  regiment.  On  February  5th  company  D took 
part  in  the  engagement  of  Hatcher’s  Run,  which  was  its  last,  as 
an  organization. 

About  this  time  the  terms  of  many  of  the  men  who  had  not 
re-enlisted  in  most  of  the  companies  expired ; and  under  the 
provisions  of  an  order  from  the  War  department,  A.  G.  O., 
Special  orders  No.  47,  of  January  30,  1865,  both  the  First  and 
Second  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  as  organizations,  were  broken  up., 
The  officers  and  men  whose  terms  held  beyond  a certain  date 
were  ordered  in  bodies  to  be  assigned  to  regiments  of  the  various 
states  from  which  the  companies  came.  Under  this,  on  the  18th 
of  February,  1865,  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  company  D 
were  ordered  to  be  transferred  to  the  Seventeenth  Maine  reg- 


362 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


iment.  There,  was  no  vacancy  in  the  latter  regiment  for  either 
Captain  Crockett  or  Lieutenant  Matthews  and,  thus  becoming 
supernumerary,  they  were  discharged  the  service,  the  latter  on 
February  23,  1865.  The  men  who  joined  the  Seventeenth 
were  distributed  and  faithfully  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 
When  the  Seventeenth  was  mustered  out  June  4,  1865,  the 
men  of  company  D were  again  transferred,  this  time  to  the 
First  Maine  Heavy  Artillery  regiment,  and  with  it  were  mus- 
tered out  of  service  September  11,  1865. 

During  its  term  of  service  company  D had  on  its  rolls  156 
men  and  officers.  Of  these  16  were  killed  in  action  or  died  of 
wounds ; 16  died  of  disease  ; 5 were  missing  in  action ; 8 
deserted ; 3 were  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  corps  and 
2 to  the  navy ; 46  were  discharged  for  disability  and  1 1 at 
expiration  of  term  of  service ; 22  had  re-enlisted,  of  whom  4 
had  been  killed  or  died  of  their  wounds,  and  the  remainder  of 
them  and  of  the  recruits,  numbering  in  all  49,  present  and 
absent,  were  transferred  to  the  Seventeenth  Maine  regiment  as 
above  stated. 

When  the  Sharpshooters  were  about  to  be  disbanded,  Gen- 
eral de  Trobriand,  commanding  the  division,  issued  an  order, 
dated  February  16,  1865,  — General  orders  No.  12,  ■ — in  which 
he  says  he  " will  not  take  leave  of  them  without  acknowledging 
their  good  and  efficient  service  during  about  three  years  in  the 
field.  The  U.  S.  Sharpshooters  leave  behind  them  a glorious 
record  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  since  the  first  operations 
against  Yorktown,  in  1862,  up  to  the  last  movements  of  the 
army  on  Hatcher’s  Run.  And  few  are  the  battles  or  engage- 
ments where  they  did  not  make  their  mark.” 

ROSTER. 

Captains. 

James  D.  Fessenden,  Nov.  2, 1861;  detached  to  staff  of  General  Hunter 
March  27,  1862;  promoted  July  16,  1862,  to  Colonel  and  Add’ 1 Aide-de-Camp 
of  Vols.,  and  assigned  to  staff  of  Major-General  Hunter;  Sept.  25,  1863, 
assigned  to  staff  of  Major-General  Hooker  in  the  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta 
campaigns;  promoted  to  Brigadier-General  of  Vols.  Aug.  8,  1864;  rode  with 
Sheridan  from  Winchester  to  Cedar  Creek  Oct.  19,  1864,  and  assigned  to 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  D,  SECOND  U.  S.  SHARPSHOOTERS.  363 


command  of  Third  brigade,  First  division,  Nineteenth  corps,  Nov.  i,  1864; 
commanded  his  brigade  and  the  post  at  Winchester  during  the  winter; 
brevet  Major-General  of  Vols.  Mar.  13,  1865;  served  in  command  of  Military 
Districts;  mustered  out  of  service  Jan.  15,  1866. 

Jacob  McClure,  Oct.  17,  1862;  discharged  Apr.  12,  1864;  commissioned 
Major,  First  Maine  regiment  of  Sharpshooters,  Sept.  16,  1863,  and  Lieut-Col. 
Feb.  2,  1864,  but  was  not  mustered  on  either  of  these  promotions. 

Stephen  C.  Barker,  Apr.  27,  1864;  promoted  from  First  Sergeant;  dis- 
charged for  disability  on  account  of  wounds  Nov.  30,  1864. 

Edgar  Crockett,  Dec.  15,  1864;  originally  Private,  promoted  to  Corporal 
and  Sergeant,  to  First  Lieutenant  May  1,  1864,  and  to  Captain;  discharged 
1865,  rendered  supernumerary  by  consolidation. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Silas  C.  Barker,  Oct.  17,1862;  promoted  from  Second  Lieutenant;  resigned 
May  28,  1863. 

Daniel  L.  Cummings,  Sept.  1,  1863;  originally  Corporal,  promoted  to 
Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant,  to  Second  Lieutenant  Oct.  17,  1862,  and  to  First 
Lieutenant;  discharged  for  disability  Mar.,  1864. 

James  M.  Matthews,  commissioned  Dec.  15,  1864;  originally  Private, 
promoted  to  Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant,  to  Second  Lieutenant,  mustered 
Dec.  5,  1864,  and  to  First  Lieutenant;  appointed  acting  Adjutant  of  regiment 
Dec.  23,  1864;  rendered  supernumerary  by  transfer  of  company  D to  Seven- 
teenth Maine  regiment  Feb.  18,  and  discharged  Feb.  23,  1865. 


364 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MONUMENT 

OF 

FIFTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

The  monument  stands  north  of  Little  Round  Top,  on  the  north  side  of 
the  road  leading  from  the  Taneytown  road  to  the  Emmitsburg  road  and 
intersecting  the  latter  at  the  Peach  Orchard.  The  monument  has  an  elab- 
orate design,  showing  upon  its  face  the  Coat  of  Arms  of  Maine,  the  Greek 
cross  of  the  Sixth  corps,  and  a group  of  war  trophies. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  six  feet  by  four  feet  by  one  foot  ten  inches; 
plinth,  four  feet  six  inches  by  two  feet  six  inches  by  one  foot  five  inches;  tab- 
let, four  feet  by  two  feet  by  eight  feet.  Total  height,  eleven  feet  three  inches. 

The  following  are  the  inscriptions: — 

5 th 

Maine  Infantry 
2nd  Brig.  1st  Diy.  6th  Corps 

+ 

Occupied  this  Position  from 
Evening  of  July  2nd  until 
Close  of  Battle. 


Mustered  into  U.  S.  Service,  Portland,  Me. 
June  24,  1861.  Served  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  in  the  field  from  1st  Bull  Run  to 
Petersburg.  Mustered  out,  Portland,  June  27,  1864. 


FIFTH  MAINE  KEGIMENT, 

SECOND  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION,  SIXTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


MAINE’S  record  at  Gettysburg  is  not  complete  without  the 
records  of  several  other  regiments  that  underwent  the 
labors  of  the  campaign  and  were  present  on  the  field, 
although  by  the  fortunes  of  the  day  they  were  spared  hard 
fighting  and  heavy  losses.  In  General  Sedgwick’s  Sixth  army 
corps,  which  was  thirty-five  miles  away  at  Manchester,  Md., 
when  the  battle  began  on  the  morning  of  July  1st,  were  three 
of  Maine’s  famous  veteran  regiments,  the  Fifth,  Sixth  and 
Seventh.  The  Fifth  Maine  was  attached  to  Bartlett’s  brigade 
of  Wright’s  division.  It  had  been  one  of  the  first  regiments 
to  respond  to  President  Lincoln’s  call  for  volunteers  in  1861, 
and  had  been  in  nearly  all  the  famous  battles  of  the  army  of 
the  Potomac.  Colonel  Clark  S.  Edwards,  one  of  the  bravest 
officers  in  the  service  from  the  state,  commanded  the  regiment, 
which  numbered  at  Gettysburg  about  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  officers  and  men. 

The  regiment  was  in  camp  near  Manchester  during  the  day 
of  July  1st,  getting  the  rest  much  needed  after  the  long  march 
through  Maryland.  Just  before  dark  on  the  evening  of  July 
1st  orders  were  received  to  move  to  Taneytown,  and  the  corps 
was  immediately  put  in  motion.  The  Fifth  Maine,  moving  in 
the  van  of  the  corps,  started  about  9 : 30  p.  m.  (a) . 

News  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  had  already  reached  the 
corps,  and  the  soldiers  of  the  Fifth  Maine  sprang  forward  with 
alacrity  when  the  order  came  to  move  in  that  direction.  As  the 
column  crossed  the  broad  pike  which  leads  from  Baltimore  to 
Gettysburg,  and  which  intersects  the  road  from  Manchester 
to  Taneytown,  orders  were  received  to  change  the  destination 


(a)  Statement  of  Colonel  Edwards  in  his  address  at  Gettysburg,  October  3,  1889. 


366 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBUKG. 


of  the  corps  and  move  by  rapid  marches  to  Gettysburg.  All 
night  the  column  tramped  up  the  Baltimore  pike  and  all  the 
forenoon  of  July  2d.  The  soldiers  of  the  Fifth  were  allowed 
to  make  no  halt  for  breakfast,  but  pressed  on  hour  after  hour 
under  the  increasing  heat  pouring  from  a July  sun.  At  noon 
the  regiment  was  within  twelve  miles  of  Gettysburg,  but  the 
orders  were  so  urgent  that  no  time  was  allowed  for  dinner. 
They  continued  to  press  on  until,  between  four  and  five 
o’clock  p.  M.,  Rock  Creek  near  Gettysburg  was  reached.  Can- 
teens were  filled  and  preparations  made  for  refreshment ; but 
before  coffee  could  be  made  the  wayworn  troops,  who  had  eaten 
nothing  except  on  the  move  since  the  night  before,  were  hur- 
ried forward  to  support  the  Third  corps.  The  Third  division 
of  the  Sixth  corps  and  Bartlett’s  brigade  of  the  First  division 
were  formed  in  lines  of  battle  in  that  portion  of  the  left  centre 
of  the  Union  position  which  was  menaced  by  the  Confederates 
who  had  broken  through  Sickles’  line.  The  Fifth  Maine,  being 
in  Bartlett’s  brigade,  participated  in  this  movement,  and  the 
monument  to  the  regiment  stands  in  the  position  which  it  held 
in  this  line.  The  Confederate  attack  was  so  far  exhausted  that 
the  Fifth  did  no  fighting,  although  about  7 : 15  p.  m.,  when 
the  troops  of  Ayres  of  the  Fifth  corps  were  coming  out,  it 
moved  thirty  or  forty  rods  to  the  front  down  into  the  Plum 
Run  lowlands  (a). 

Later  in  the  evening  the  regiment  formed  its  line  on  the 
right  of  Little  Round  Top,  throwing  up  a wall  of  stones  which 
remains  at  the  present  time.  The  regiment  held  this  position 
during  July  3d,  until  after  Pickett’s  charge.  In  the  evening 
three  companies  made  a reconnaissance  out  towards  the  Emmits- 
burgroad.  Colonel  Edwards  accompanied  the  detachment.  He 
had  noticed  from  the  side  of  Little  Round  Top  some  horses  near 
the  Trostle  buildings  and  some  portions  of  a battery,  and  had 
determined  to  secure  the  same  if  possible.  Taking  two  or  three 
trusty  men  (b)  with  him,  all  armed  with  rifles,  they  crept  out 
through  the  fringe  of  wood  and  approached  near  enough  to  shoot 

(a)  In  this  movement  the  regiment  secured  two  or  three  Confederates  in  a house 
to  the  right  of  the  cross-road  which  leads  to  the  Peach  Orchard. 

(b)  One  of  these  men  was  Charles  Marshall  Wentworth,  of  company  I — after  the 
war,  General  Wentworth,— of  Jackson,  N.  H. 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


367 


the  horses,  so  as  to  prevent  their  use  by  the  enemy  in  running 
off  a gun  and  two  limbers  which  were  near  by.  Finding  by 
further  investigation  that  the  Confederates  had  retreated  from 
that  spot,  Colonel  Edwards  ordered  a detail  from  his  regiment 
to  run  the  gun  and  limbers  back  to  our  lines.  The  gun  and 
other  property  proved  to  belong  to  Bigelow’s  9th  Mass,  battery, 
left  on  the  field  the  day  before. 

July  4th  the  regiment  advanced  with  two  other  regiments, 
one  of  the  latter  belonging  to  Ayres’  division  of  the  Fifth  corps, 
to  look  for  wounded  lying  on  the  field,  also  to  advance  and 
locate  the  enemy’s  line.  On  the  5th  it  moved  with  the  corps 
in  pursuit  of  Lee.  No  casualties  were  reported  in  the  regi- 
ment while  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg.  There  were  several 
men  slightly  wounded,  on  the  reconnaissance,  in  the  morning 
of  July  4th,  whose  names  we  cannot  fix ; the  files  in  the  Adju- 
tant-General’s office  at  Augusta  show  that  Private  Franklin 
Bean  of  company  I was  killed  July  2d,  although  this  death 
occurred,  a few  days  later,  at  Funkstown,  Md. 


PARTICIPANTS. 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Clark  S.  Edwards,  Bethel. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Henry  R.  Millett,  Palmyra. 

Major,  Aaron  S.  Daggett,  Greene. 

Acting  Adjutant,  Second  Lieut.  George  A.  Chandler,  Lewiston,  company  A. 
Quartermaster,  William  B.  Fenderson,  Biddeford. 

Surgeon,  Francis  G.  Warren,  Biddeford. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Melville  H.  Manson,  Limington. 

Chaplain,  John  R.  Adams,  Gorham. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Lucius  M.  Clark,  Biddeford. 

Commissary-Sergeant,  James  L.  Dresser,  Portland. 

Hospital  Steward,  Orrin  Q.  Pratt,  Hebron. 

Company  A. 

( Present  for  duty',  including  i present  sick. ) 

Captain,  Samuel  H.  Pillsbury,  Biddeford. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  B.  Dexter,  Biddeford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  A.  Chandler,  acting  as  Adjt.  (see  Field  and  Staff). 

SERGEANTS. 

Charles  H.  Patrick,  Gorham,  John  L.  Haskell,  Gorham, 

Richmond  Edwards,  Gorham. 


368 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


CORPORALS. 

Charles  M.  Ward,  Gorham,  Charles  M.  Edwards,  Gorham, 

Morris  Bumpus,  Hebron,  David  S.  Crockett,  Westbrook, 

Theodore  Shackford,  Gorham. 


Auld,  James  R.,  Boothbay, 
Brady,  Patrick,  St.  John,  N.  B., 
Cilley,  Oliver,  Gorham, 

Duffey,  Peter,  Gorham, 

Farwell,  Walter  H.,  Gorham, 
Gilbert,  Albert,  Gorham, 

Henley,  Francis  E.,  Westbrook, 
Lowell,  Alfred  O.,  Portland, 
Stackpole,  Augustus  J.,  Gorham, 


PRIVATES. 

Bangs,  Leeman  J.,  Farmington, 
Brooks,  Abram  S.,  Rome, 

Darling,  George  L.,  Gorham, 

Elder,  Alonzo  S , Gorham, 

Foss,  Alonzo  E , Limington, 

Hall,  Levi,  Gorham, 

Johnson,  Charles  W.,  Portland, 
Nunan,  William  H.,  Kennebunkport, 
Staples,  Moses  M.,  Baldwin. 


Musicians. 

William  H.  Boyd,  Gorham,  Alvin  V.  Tufts,  Cornish. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  William  C.  Phin- 
ney,  Westbrook,  brig,  blacksmith.  Wagoner  Charles  H.  Stewart,  Standish, 
teamster.  Privates:  James  F.  Harmon,  Gorham,  brig.  com.  dept.;  Cyrus  S. 
Libby,  Gorham,  teamster;  Edward  B.  Phinney,  Gorham,  amb.  train;  Chauncy 
C Shaw,  Gorham,  hosp.  attendant;  James  G.  Spaulding,  Buckfield,  brig, 
mail  carrier. 


Company  B. 

(Including  2 present  sick.) 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  S.  French,  Albion. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Walter  Foss,  Biddeford, 

Samuel  B.  Brackett,  Biddeford,  John  Linscott,  Biddeford. 

corporals. 

Billings  Hodgdon,  Biddeford,  Junius  W.  Littlefield,  Dexter, 

Timothy  Elliot,  Biddeford. 


privates. 


Adams,  Jesse  W.,  Kennebunkport, 
Berry,  Robert,  Biddeford, 
Chadbourne,  Horace  K.,  Biddeford, 
Dickinson,  Sewell,  Augusta, 

Friend,  Dennis  W.,  Biddeford, 
Hanson,  Moses  W.,  Biddeford, 
Heney,  Thomas,  Biddeford, 

Knox,  Thomas  T.,  Biddeford, 
Libby,  Charles  O.,  Biddeford, 
Moran,  John  E.,  Biddeford, 

Willey,  Jacob  O.,  Biddeford. 


Bacon,  George  W.,  Biddeford, 
Brackett,  Peter,  Biddeford, 
Dearborn,  Henry  A.,  Biddeford, 
Elliot,  Joseph,  Biddeford, 
Hadlock,  Benjamin  P.,  Saco, 
Harper,  John,  Dexter, 

Jeffrey,  Jesse,  Kennebunkport, 
Larrabee,  Charles  F.,  Biddeford, 
Moore,  Elliot,  Buxton, 

Nesbitt,  John  F.,  Biddeford, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Capt.  Robert  M.  Stevens, 
Biddeford,  ordnance  officer  div.  h’dqrs.  Privates:  Cyrus  P.  Berry,  Bidde- 
ford, clerk  div.  h’dqrs;  Thomas  W.  Applebee,  Acton,  regt’l  q’rm’r  dept.; 
Charles  H.  Brown,  Biddeford,  cook  corps,  h’dqrs;  Aaron  H.  Bean,  Bidde- 
ford, Sumner  L.  Goodwin,  Biddeford,  and  Horace  P.  Smith,  Biddeford,  amb. 
train;  Jeremiah  Kelley,  Kennebunkport,  hosp.  att’d’t;  Samuel  E.  Scribner, 
Biddeford,  teamster. 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


369 


Company  C. 

(Including  i present  sick.) 
Captain,  Edward  M.  Robinson,  Anson. 

Second  Lieutenant,  J.  Augustine  Grenier,  Portland. 

SERGEANTS. 

David  L.  Farnham,  Boothbay, 

Martin  Hughes,  Portland, 


Charles  H.  P.  Stevens,  Saco, 
William  H.  H untoon,  Bangor. 


Benjamin  F.  Leavitt,  Saco, 
Leonard  Welch,  Saco. 
CORPORALS. 

John  E.  Wayland,  Saco, 


PRIVATES. 

Atkinson,  William  H.,  Saco, 
Baker,  Albert  B.,  Biddeford, 
Brown,  William,  Greenville,  Ct., 
Chorters,  James,  Ireland, 
Kimball,  Luther  G.,  Saco, 
McCarthy,  Andrew,  Saco, 
Ricker,  Frank,  Saco, 

Small,  George  E.  B.,  Saco, 
Tyne,  Michael,  Saco, 

Whaland,  Clark,  St.  John,  N.  B. 
Wilbur,  Joseph,  Saco, 

W ormell,  Sylvester  S. , Saco. 


Andrews,  George  H.,  Saco, 

Averj%  Dexter,  Saco, 

Bell,  Joseph,  Saco, 

Cadarett,  Euzeb,  Saco, 

Emery,  Ira,  Limerick, 

King,  Milton  J.,  Stafford,  Vt., 

Morgan,  George  E.,  Wolfboro,  N.  H., 

Senate,  James,  Biddeford, 

Swift,  John  M.,  Bethel, 

Wentworth,  Samuel,  Saco, 

Whitten,  Benjamin  F.,  Buxton, 

Willard,  John  H.,  Great  Falls,  N.  H., 

Musician:  James  B.  Deas,  Saco. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  First  Lieut.  Charles  A. 
Waterhouse,  Portland,  amb.  train;  Wagoner  Eli  Dennett,  Saco,  teamster. 
Privates:  Joseph  C.  Dennett,  Saco,  amb.  train;  Solomon  Gordon,  Augusta, 
teamster. 

Company  D. 

(Including  i present  sick. ) 

Captain,  Charles  H.  Small,  Topsham. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  H.  Stevens,  Acton. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Frank  G.  Patterson,  Augusta. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergt.,  Alonzo  Haley,  Topsham,  Lorenzo  D.  Fox,  Rockport,  Mass., 
George  M.  Littlefield,  Greenwood,  James  T.  Croswell,  Brunswick. 

CORPORALS. 

Henry  W.  Farrow,  Woodstock,  Emery  P.  Blondel,  Topsham, 

Ai  C.  Harrington,  Topsham,  Thomas  F.  Parsons,  Rockport. 

PRIVATES. 


Alexander,  Randall  T.,  Topsham, 
Beard,  Charles,  Moscow, 

Colby,  George  L.,  Topsham, 
Doughty,  Isaac  G.,  Brunswick, 
Eastman,  Orlando  H.,  Mexico, 
Few,  Robert,  Brunswick, 

Fuller,  Alonzo  M.,  Brunswick, 
Hassett,  Lawrence,  Lewiston, 
Johnson,  Samuel  L.,  Brunswick, 


Barron,  James  T.,  Topsham, 
Carey,  Seth  F.,  Topsham, 
Colby,  John  P.,  Brunswick, 
Dunning,  Orlando,  Brunswick, 
Fabian,  Anthony,  Biddeford, 
Fox,  David  M.,  Porter, 

Hamlin,  William,  Bowdoinham, 
Howland,  James  E.,  Topsham, 
Lasson,  Oscar  O.,  Portland, 


370 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Lubec,  William,  Brunswick, 
Smith,  Sewall  C.,  Rumford, 
Vickery,  Albert,  Brunswick, 
Welch,  Morris,  Biddeford, 
Willis,  John,  Biddeford. 


Leary,  Daniel,  Boston,  Mass., 

Perkins,  Stephen  A.,  Rockport, 

Thompson,  Collins  B.,  Topsham, 

Walker,  William  A.,  Durham, 

Whitney,  Dunham,  Brunswick, 

Musician:  George  L.  Harmon,  Brunswick. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  William  C. 
Moody,  Brunswick,  amb.  train.  Privates:  Charles  Manning,  Lewiston,  div. 
q’rm’r  dept.;  Charles  B.  Vickery,  Brunswick,  and  Jere  Warren,  Biddeford, 
hosp.  attendants. 

Company  E. 

Captain,  Frank  L.  Lemont,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  Wight,  Gorham. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  C.  Summersides,  Gorham. 

SERGEANTS. 

Norris  Litchfield,  Lewiston, 

Francis  Day,  Durham. 

CORPORALS. 

Isaac  A.  Blethen,  Durham, 

William  H.  Morse,  Minot. 

PRIVATES. 

Adley,  Alonzo,  Lisbon,  Atwood,  Rodney  B.,  Lisbon, 

Carpenter,  Harrison,  Concord,  N.  H.,  Getehell,  Albion,  Farmington, 


Cyrenus  P.  Stevens,  Greene, 
John.B.  Bailey,  Auburn, 

John  Casey,  Rumford, 

Daniel  Sheehan,  Lewiston, 


Goodwin,  Increase  F.,  Clinton, 
Hamilton,  George  H.,  Lewiston, 
Jones,  Charles  E.,  Turner, 
Larrabee,  William  H.,  Lewiston, 
Morton,  William  E.,  Poland, 
Robinson,  W.  Scott,  Sumner, 
Verrill,  John  L.,  Poland, 

Yeaton,  Isaac  C.,  Farmington. 


Goss,  Frank  F.,  Danville, 

Haskell,  Nathaniel,  Lewiston, 
Jones,  David  H.,  Auburn, 

Merrill,  Davis  N.,  New  Gloucester, 
Purrington,  Isaiah  G.,  Lisbon, 
Taylor,  Samuel  W.,  Wales, 

Ward,  Thomas,  Lewiston, 


MUSICIANS. 

Edward  P.  Harmon,  New  Gloucester,  Clifton  Jones,  Canton. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Wagoner  Ephraim  H. 
Litchfield,  Lewiston,  teamster  corps  h’dqrs.  Privates:  Henry  P.  Estes, 
Lewiston,  and  Lemont  Manning,  Lewiston,  div.  q’rm’r  dept.;  Horace  E. 
Kimball,  Lewiston,  Luther  Litchfield,  Lewiston,  and  Lucius  L.  Lothrop 
Lewiston,  teamsters;  David  Small,  Danville,  amb.  train. 


Company  F. 

Captain,  Frederick  G.  Sanborn,  Hopkinton,  N.  H. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Orrin  B.  Stevens,  Westbrook. 

sergeants. 

istSergt.,  John  Goldthwait,  Windsor,  Benjamin  Norton,  Portland, 

Llewellyn  Goodwin,  Stockton,  Michael  J.  Murphy,  Portland. 

corporals. 

Benjamin  A.  Norton,  Portland,  Daniel  Y.  Gallison,  Paris,  color-guard, 

Abner  H.  Herrick,  Greenwood,  William  Hayes,  Portland. 

privates. 

Bradin,  John,  Portland,  Cushman,  Cornelius,  Portland, 

Driscoll,  Daniel,  Portland,  Fitzsimmons,  James,  Portland, 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


371 


Godfrey,  John,  Portland, 
Hicks,  Barnard,  Burke,  Vt., 
Kelley,  Peter,  Portland, 
Kerrigan,  John,  Portland, 
McCullom,  George,  Portland, 
McEnnany,  Michael,  Portland, 
Morris,  Otto,  Portland, 
Patrick,  George  W.,  Portland, 
Ricker,  Hiram  H.,  Gardiner, 


Gormley,  Michael,  Portland, 

Kelley,  John,  Portland, 

Kelley,  Robert,  Portland, 

Loney,  John,  Lewiston, 

McDonald,  John,  Portland, 

Morgan,  Charles  F.,  Greenwood, 
Nelson,  Frederick,  Portland, 

Pray,  Leroy,  Portland, 

Timmony,  John,  Portland. 

Musician:  Frank  C.  Kimball,  Portland. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Joseph  C.  Par- 
adis, Portland,  clerk  div.  h’dqrs.  Wagoner  Lincoln  Grover,  Gardiner,  team- 
ster corps  h’dqrs.  Privates:  Thomas  Feeney,  Taunton,  Mass.,  div.  h’dqrs; 
Edwin  H.  Robertson,  Brownfield,  Albert  A.  Trull,  Greenwood,  brig,  h’dqrs. 

Company  G. 

(Including  i present  sick.) 

Captain,  Alburn  P.  Harris,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Daniel  C.  Clark,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Sidney  H.  Hutchins,  Saco. 

sergeants. 

istSergt.,  Archibald  Wilson,  Portland,  Charles  G.  Hall,  Vienna, 

Alonzo  Mitchell,  Freeport,  George  B.  Parsons,  Conway,  N.  H. 

CORPORALS. 

Ambrose  Anthoine,  Windham,  Charles  H.  Brewer,  Freeport, 

Edward  J.  Dolan,  Portland. 

PRIVATES. 


Blake,  James,  Fall  River,  Mass., 
Brown,  James,  Brownfield, 

Clark,  Edward  L.,  Portland, 
Dealing,  Francis  O.,  Sidney, 
Drinkwater,  Phillip  F.,  Portland, 
Frost,  Albert,  Denmark, 

Hamlin,  Elvin  L.,  Brownfield, 
Killeen,  James,  Portland, 

Kenney,  Edward  J.,  Portland, 
Latham,  Seward  M.,  Cumberland, 
Libby,  Henry  C.,  Gray, 

Reardon,  Michael,  Portland, 

Shaw,  John  M.,  Portland, 

Welch,  William  A.  S.,  Portland, 


Brown,  Enoch  M.,  Brownfield, 
Chick,  Charles  H.,  Litchfield, 
Coveil,  Edgar  C.,  Portland, 

Dean,  Charles  H.,  Buxton, 

Dudley,  Michael,  Portland, 

Gray,  Melville,  Fryeburg, 

Irvin,  William,  Portland, 

Kelly,  Timothy,  Portland, 
Kenniston,  Jeremiah  C.,  Brownfield, 
Leavitt,  Joseph,  Portland, 

Meserve,  Levi  P.,  Denmark, 
Richardson,  William,  Portland, 
Wallace,  Elisha  W.,  Windham, 


Wentworth,  Benjamin  N.,  Brownfield. 
On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Lorestin  Dan- 
forth,  Portland,  div.  wagon-master;  Isaac  N.  Jackson,  Bridgton,  brig.  com. 
dept.:  Charles  W.  Jordan,  Portland,  teamster;  Stillman  H.  Saunders,  Fal- 
mouth, hosp.  attendant;  Francis  M.  Smith,  Portland,  amb.  train;  Charles  T. 
Webster,  Portland,  clerk  div.  h’dqrs. 

Company  H. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  D.  Ladd,  Biddeford,  commanding  company. 

SERGEANTS. 

ist  Sergt.,  Charles  H.  Dow,  Standish,  James  G.  Sanborn,  Milbridge, 

Thomas  E.  Lawrence,  Portland,  John  W.  Jordan,  Cape  Elizabeth. 


372 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


CORPORALS. 

George  W.  Tappan,  Gloucester,  Mass., 
PRIVATES. 

Conlin,  James,  Portland, 

Goodness,  William,  Paris, 

Kelley,  John,  Ireland, 

Miller,  Frederick,  Machias, 

Newell,  Lendall  R.,  Portland, 
Pridham,  James  H.,  Portland, 
Sturgess,  George  B.,  Portland, 

True,  George  F.,  Exeter, 

Wilder,  Samuel,  Portland. 

Musician:  Charles  F.  Moody,  Portland. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  George  W. 
Briggs,  Pembroke,  div.  q’rm’r  dept.  Privates:  George  W.  Holmes,  Bridg- 
ton,  brig.  com.  dept. ; George  N.  Maxham,  Waterville,  and  Otis  H.  Skillings, 
Portland,  amb.  train. 

Company  I. 

First  Lieutenant  Lewis  H.  Lunt,  Brunswick. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  A.  A.  Packard,  Hallowell. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  P.  Jordan  Mitchell,  Greenwood, 


Anthony  B.  Gould,  Pownal, 
John  Conlin,  Lewiston. 

Chase,  Thomas  R.,  Pownal, 
Feeny,  Edward  H.,  Bangor, 
Hunter,  Sidney,  Eastport, 
Knowles,  James,  England, 
Murphy,  Dennis,  Biddeford, 
Pratt,  Horace,  New  Vineyard, 
Richardson,  Darius,  Cornish, 
Tracy,  William,  Portland, 
True,  William  W.,  Yarmouth, 


Bethuel  S.  Sawyer,  Bethel, 

J.  Spencer  Peabody,  Gilead, 

Andrew  J.  Bean,  Albany, 

Cyrus  R.  Lawrence,  Sumner, 
Levi  Shedd,  Greenwood. 

Adams,  Thomas,  Stoneham, 
Bean,  Franklin,  Rumford, 
Brown,  Orrin  S.,  Bethel, 
Edwards,  Bryce  M.,  Otisfield, 
Farren,  Patrick,  Portland, 
Foye,  Edgar,  Wiscasset, 
Howard,  Michael,  Washington, 
Jordan,  Asa  D.,  Norway, 
Lemont,  Daniel,  Portland, 
Martin,  Jere  W.,  Rumford, 


David  A.  Edwards,  Bethel, 

Enoch  Whittemore,  Jr.,  Paris. 
corporals. 

Cyrus  Thurlow,  Woodstock, 
Alanson  M.  Whitman,  Woodstock, 

PRIVATES. 

Andrews,  David  E.,  Andover, 
Bean,  John  E.,  Bethel, 

Daily,  Dennis,  Boston,  Mass., 
Evans,  James  M.,  Gorham,  N.  H., 
Foley,  Patrick,  Portland, 

Harper,  William  R.,  Rumford, 
Howe,  Robert,  Greenwood, 
Lapham,  Richmond  M.,  Rumford, 
Littlefield,  James  A.,  Greenwood, 
Parker,  Alonzo  S.,  Baldwin, 


Wentworth,  Chas.  M.,  Jackson,  N.  H.,  Wormell,  John  S.,  Bethel. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Wagoner  Willoughby  R. 
York,  Bethel,  teamster.  Privates:  Horace  K.  Chase,  Rumford,  teamster; 
George  Cook,  Old  Town,  brig,  h’dqrs;  Charles  W.  Horn,  Milan,  N.  H.,  brig, 
com.  dept.;  James  Kelly,  Lewiston,  cook;  Stillman  N.  Littlehale,  Riley  Plan- 
tation, amb.  train;  Lorenzo  D.  Russell,  Bethel,  hosp.  attendant. 

Company  K. 

(Including  i present  sick.) 

First  Lieutenant,  Andrew  S.  Lyon,  Freeport,  commanding  company. 

Seond  Lieutenant,  John  McLellan,  Casco. 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


373 


SERGEANTS. 

William  A.  Tubbs,  Hebron,  Simon  L.  Johnson,  Buckfield, 

Charles  E.  Harris,  Poland,  Augustus  A.  Dwinal,  Minot. 

CORPORALS. 

Samuel  D.  S.  Duran,  Raymond,  Albert  W.  Hines,  Turner, 
Henry  C.  West,  Minot. 


Bancroft,  John  F.,  Poland, 
Chase,  Joseph  A.,  Pownal, 
Dvvinel,  Harrison  J.,  Minot, 
Frost,  William,  Peru, 

Hackett,  Edward  A.,  Oxford, 
Jordan,  Levi  F.,  Poland, 
Meserve,  John,  Casco, 

Phillips,  Marshall  S.,  Auburn, 
St.  Clair,  Alanson  W.,  Poland, 


PRIVATES. 

Brown,  Arthur  M.,  Minot, 

Clark,  James,  Frankfort, 

Fardy,  John,  Lewiston, 

Goodwin,  Ezra  M.,  Minot, 
Hutchinson,  Almon  H.,  Minot, 
Lombard,  John  C.,  Oxford, 
Perkins,  Harrison  G.  O.,  Oxford, 
Ricker,  Samuel  F.,  Raymond, 
Stone,  James  M.,  Otisfield, 


Thompson,  James  W.,  New  Portland,  Verrill,  Horace  A.,  Poland, 
Whitman,  George  G.,  Hebron. 

Musicians. 

William  B.  Adams,  Raymond,  Joseph  P.  Harmon,  Harrison. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Richard  Bailey, 
Minot,  and  Levi  S.  Robinson,  Raymond,  hosp.  attendants;  Stephen  M.  Bar- 
rows,  Hebron,  and  Talbot  G.  Stuart,  Casco,  orderlies  at  div.  h’dqrs;  Charles 
F.  McKenney,  Minot,  amb.  train;  Joshua  S.  Spiller,  Casco,  q’rm’r  dept, 
corps  h’dqrs. 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENT, 

October  3,  1889. 

ADDRESS  OF  COLONEL  CLARK  S.  EDWARDS, 

BREVET  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  OF  VOLUNTEERS. 

Mr.  President  and  Comrades  of  the  Fifth  Maine: — 

It  has  fallen  to  my  lot  on  this  memorable  occasion  to  give  a 
brief,  descriptive  account  of  the  part  taken  by  the  Fifth  Maine 
in  the  great  battle  of  Gettysburg,  which  occurred  on  this  his- 
toric field  twenty-six  years  ago.  Before  speaking  particularly 
of  what  the  regiment  did  on  those  early  days  of  July,  1863,  I 
wish,  in  as  brief  a manner  as  possible,  to  outline  the  history  of 
the  regiment,  so  far  as  the  principal  engagements  are  concerned 
— in  which  it  participated — and  thus  correct  a few  errors  which 
have  gone  forth  to  the  world  as  history.  Lest  I may  be  mis- 
understood by  others,  I will  say  here  that  I do  not  claim  that 
the  Fifth  was  the  best  regiment  sent  to  the  field  from  the  old 


374 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


State  of  Maine,  but  I do  assert  that  she  sent  no  better  one.  We 
make  no  unwarranted  claim  in  asserting  that  the  services  ren- 
dered and  the  results  achieved  by  the  Fifth  justly  entitle  it  to 
be  classed  among  the  fighting  regiments  of  the  war,  notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  other  regiments  lost  more  men.  Any 
claim  of  the  historian  that  only  those  regiments  that  met  with 
the  heaviest  losses  were  fighting  regiments,  does  an  injustice  to 
many  of  the  best  regiments  in  the  service. 

In  more  instances  than  one,  severe  losses  have  fallen  upon 
regiments  through  the  stupidity  of  the  commanding  officer,  or 
by  some  mistake  in  placing  troops  in  an  exposed  position  where 
soldiers  were  shot  down  by  the  enemy  without  a shot  being 
fired  in  return.  For  if  the  loss  is  the  only  claim  that  entitles  a 
regiment  to  be  classed  among  fighting  regiments,  then  the  brave 
Warren  and  his  men  at  Bunker  Hill  have  been  accorded  praise 
that  they  did  not  deserve.  To  base  the  fighting  qualities  of  a 
regiment  entirely  upon  its  losses,  without  regard  to  its  accom- 
plishments, is  wrong,  as  every  soldier  knows.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  General  Jackson  and  his  army  at  New  Orleans,  where 
the  loss  was  slight,  though  the  achievements  were  brilliant. 
For  the  Fifth  Maine  we  should  claim  for  all  time,  full  and 
complete  recognition  of  its  services. 

The  regiment  was  organized  in  May,  1861,  although  several 
of  the  companies  were  formed  and  filled  in  April.  It  was  mus- 
tered into  the  service  June  23d  and  24th,  having  one  thousand 
men,  and  at  once  started  for  Washington.  In  New  York  the 
regiment  was  presented  with  a banner,  from  the  steps  of  City 
Hall,  by  the  residents  of  the  city  who  were  formerly  citizens 
of  the  Pine  Tree  State.  The  regiment  reached  Washington  on 
the  evening  of  June  27th,  and  went  into  camp  on  Meridian 
Hill,  where  it  remained  until  July  9th,  when  it  crossed  the 
Potomac,  and  went  into  camp  near  Fort  Ellsworth,  doing  picket 
duty  until  July  12th,  when  it  advanced  as  far  as  Claremont,  a 
point  about  a mile,  or  a mile  and  a half,  in  advance  of  any 
troops  at  this  time.  Here  the  regiment  remained  until  July 
17th,  when  it  was  ordered  to  move  forward  against  the  enemy 
at  Bull  Run.  In  this,  our  first  engagement,  the  loss  was  slight. 
The  next  battle  of  importance  in  which  the  Fifth  was  actively 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  : EDWARDS’  ADDRESS. 


375 


engaged  was  on  the  peninsula,  at  West  Point  on  the  Pamun- 
key,  May  7,  1862.  It  was  here  that  the  regiment  made  its 
first  bayonet  charge,  driving  the  enemy  from  its  intrenched 
position.  The  firing  was  hot  and  heavy  ; the  loss  of  men  was 
two  killed  and  five  wounded. 

May  24th  the  regiment,  now  in  Slocum's  division  of  Frank- 
lin’s (Sixth)  corps,  skirmished  and  fought  in  line  of  battle  at 
the  Chickahominy  River,  driving  the  enemy,  and  finally  forcing 
him  across  the  bridge. 

June  27th  found  the  regiment  in  action  in  the  rear  of  the 
McGee  house,  charging  up  the  hill  and  across  the  open  field, 
in  the  battle  of  Gaines’  Mill.  The  division  had  been  held  in 
reserve  exposed  to  a galling  artillery  fire  in  the  forenoon,  and 
at  2 o’clock  in  the  afternoon  was  ordered  across  the  river  to 
the  help  of  General  Porter.  So  hard  pressed  was  he  that  our 
division  was  sent  piecemeal  to  various  points  of  the  line.  The 
Fifth  was  finally  ordered  to  support  a battery  near  the  centre. 
At  about  5 o’clock  it  was  ordered  to  the  charge  over  the  crest 
of  the  hill  which  the  enemy  held ; the  men  advanced  without 
wavering,  under  a storm  of  bullets,  shot  and  shell,  drove  the 
rebels  before  them  and  gained  possession  of  the  hill,  and  held 
possession  until  about  dark,  when  they  were  relieved  by  other 
troops.  In  this  engagement  the  Fifth  lost  ten  killed,  sixty-nine 
wounded  and  sixteen  missing  ; Colonel  Jackson  was  wounded, 
and  Lieut. -Colonel  Heath,  who  assumed  command,  while  recon- 
noitering  was  shot  through  the  head  and  died  instantly.  The 
command  of  the  regiment  then  fell  to  myself,  then  captain  of 
company  I.  The  next  day,  June  28th,  we  were  engaged  with 
the  enemy  at  Golding’s  Farm ; June  30th  at  Charles  City  Cross 
Roads,  Glendale,  or  Frayser’s  Farm,  as  it  is  variously  called. 
Here  the  regiment  experienced  a terrific  cannonade.  The  air 
was  full  of  solid  shot  and  bursting  shell.  Such  fearful  din  of 
the  cannon’s  roar  was  only  once  again  experienced  by  the 
Fifth  and  that  was,  on  the  spot  where  we  now  stand,  on  the 
afternoon  of  July  3,  1863. 

On  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  July  1,  1862,  the  regi- 
ment was  at  Malvern  Hill.  The  great  assault  of  the  enemy 
was  repulsed  with  fearful  slaughter,  though  our  loss  was  com- 


376 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


paratively  slight.  At  Harrison’s  Landing  we  went  into  camp, 
remaining  there  until  August  15th,  when  we  were  transferred 
to  Alexandria,  arriving  there  August  26th,  and  encamping  at 
Fort  Lyon  until  the  29th,  when  orders  were  received  to  advance. 
The  regiment  marched  to  Annandale,  where  it  camped  for  the 
night  within  hearing  of  Pope’s  cannon.  The  evening  of  August 
30th  found  us  on  the  south  side  of  Cub  Run,  covering  the 
retreat  of  Pope’s  army.  The  night  was  spent  in  picket  duty, 
and  on  the  following  morning,  August  31st,  we  recrossed  Cub 
Run,  destroying  the  bridge  in  our  rear,  — notwithstanding  the 
report  made  by  General  Pope,  as  appeared  in  the  war  articles 
published  in  the  Century  Magazine,  that  the  Sixth  army  corps 
did  not  advance  beyond  Annandale.  After  a tedious  march  into 
Maryland,  through  dust  and  under  a scorching  sun,  September 
14th  found  the  regiment,  with  the  16th  N.  Y.  on  the  right, 
charging  the  enemy  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  at  Crampton’s 
Gap,  in  the  South  Mountain  range,  about  fifteen  miles  southeast 
of  Sharpsburg,  or  Antietam  battlefield.  Discovering  the  enemy 
to  be  in  force  at  this  pass,  General  Slocum  made  dispositions  to 
give  battle.  Our  regiment,  Colonel  Jackson  in  command,  and 
the  16th  N.  Y.,  constituted  the  advance,  and  were  ordered  to 
assault  the  enemy.  For  nearly  a mile  we  moved  forward  under 
a severe  artillery  fire,  over  an  open  field  in  full  view  of  the 
enemy,  through  a cornfield,  and  climbing  five  rail  fences  in  our 
way  until,  approaching  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy, 
they  opened  on  us  with  musketry.  This  we  returned,  and  con- 
tested with  them  for  over  an  hour,  when  our  cartridges  gave 
out,  and  we  fell  back  a few  yards  to  better  protection  while 
waiting  for  ammunition.  Directly  after,  however,  the  order 
came  to  charge  the  enemy.  With  a shout  the  men  sprang  for- 
ward at  the  double-quick,  with  the  rest  of  the  division,  and 
charged  with  the  bayonet ; after  receiving  a volley  or  two  into 
our  ranks  the  firing  ceased  ; the  Confederates  retreating,  we 
took  posssession  of  the  heights.  The  regiment  in  this  engage- 
ment lost  thirty-five  in  killed  and  wounded.  This  victory  was 
of  no  small  importance  to  the  Union  cause.  On  September  1 7th, 
— one  of  the  bloodiest  days  America  ever  saw,  — was  fought 
the  battle  of  Antietam,  in  which  the  Fifth  Maine  took  an  active 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


377 


part,  Lieut. -Colonel  Scamman  commanding.  In  this  battle  one 
historian  says  that  more  lives  were  lost  in  the  same  length  of 
time  than  on  any  other  field  during  the  civil  war. 

On  December  12th,  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  the 
Fifth  advanced  across  the  open  plain  near  the  Bernard  house, 
and  on  the  following  day  occupied  an  important  position  near 
the  centre  of  the  line  of  battle. 

May  3,  1863,  the  second  battle  of  Fredericksburg  was  fought 
by  a portion  of  the  Sixth  corps.  The  Fifth  Maine  assisted  in 
driving  the  enemy  from  Marye’s  Heights  at  the  city  of  Freder- 
icksburg. It  was  in  this  battle  that  Adjutant  Bicknell  was 
severely  wounded.  On  the  same  day  was  fought  the  battle  of 
Salem  Church.  In  these  two  engagements  the  regiment  lost 
about  100,  beino-  more  than  one-third  of  its  number  engaged. 
On  the  evening  of  May  4th,  after  some  skirmishing,  we  crossed 
to  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock  at  Banks’  Ford  ; after 
an  hour’s  rest  the  regiment  recrossed  the  river  and  was  sent  for- 
ward a mile  to  perform  outpost  duty  and  cover  the  retreat  of  the 
corps,  who  were  crossing  to  the  north  side.  About  3 o’clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  5th  the  whole  corps  had  crossed,  when 
the  men  of  the  Fifth,  weary  and  almost  worn  out,  fell  back  to 
the  river,  and  were  the  last  to  cross.  So  ended  the  regiment’s 
participation  in  the  ill-fated  second  battlfi  of  Fredericksburg  or 
Chancellorsville,  which  carried  the  Fifth  into  three  separate 
battles.  Our  loss  in  officers  was  especially  severe  : Lieutenant 
Brann  was  killed  and  Lieutenants  Brown  and  Bailey  mortally 
wounded ; Captains  Robinson  and  Dealing,  Lieutenants  Bick- 
nell, O.  B.  Stevens  and  J.  H.  Stevens,  wounded;  Lieutenants 
W.  E.  Stevens  and  F.  G.  Patterson,  taken  prisoners. 

After  this  the  regiment  went  into  camp,  where  we  remained 
until  we  started  north,  on  the  campaign  which  terminated  on 
this  field  before  us.  Our  march  was  over  routes  which  we  had 
in  part  traveled  during  the  Maryland  campaign  of  the  preceding 
year,  under  " Little  Mac.”  July  1st  found  the  regiment  resting 
quietly  in  camp  near  Manchester,  Md.  None  were  aware  that 
the  enemy  had  at  this  time  been  met  at  Gettysburg  and  that  a 
great  battle  had  begun.  During  our  march  through  Maryland 
a most  cordial  reception  was  given  the  boys  in  blue  by  the  loyal 


378 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


citizens,  who  could  not  do  too  much  for  the  defenders  of  their 
homes  and  their  country.  Intense  enthusiasm  prevailed  wher- 
ever the  stars  and  stripes  were  seen.  As  we  marched  through 
the  streets  of  Westminster  and  Manchester,  thousands  of  flags 
and  handkerchiefs  were  waved  by  the  noble  women  and  patri- 
otic children.  No  sacrifices  were  too  great  for  them  to  make. 

While  enjoying  the  rest  afforded  by  the  brief  delay  near 
Manchester,  though  the  weather  was  hot  and  sultry,  an  order 
was  received  commanding  the  corps  to  move  immediately  towards 
Gettysburg,  thirty-six  miles  distant,  where  our  troops  were  now 
hastily  gathering  behind  the  defenses  of  Cemetery  Ridge. 

Like  the  good  soldiers  they  were,  the  Sixth  corps  sprang 
forward  with  alacrity  to  obey,  the  Fifth  Maine  leading  in  that 
famous  march,  which  began  at  9:30  p.  m.  On  the  evening  of 
July  1st  information  had  been  received  that  a great  battle  was 
in  progress,  and  that  upon  its  issue  depended  the  fate  of  the 
country.  Every  one  cheerfully  obeyed  orders.  On,  on,  through 
the  night  we  marched,  each  hour  bringing  us  nearer  this  sacred 
field.  No  halt  was  made  for  breakfast.  The  services  of  the 
Sixth  corps  were  at  this  critical  time  needed  at  the  front.  The 
hot  rays  of  a July  sun  poured  down  upon  us,  but  no  one  fal- 
tered. The  distant  roar  of  cannon  told  us  that  the  battle  was 
on  once  more.  Eager  for  the  fray,  the  footsteps  were  quick- 
ened. Hour  after  hour  tramped  the  Sixth  corps.  The  noon  of 
July  2d  found  the  regiment  twelve  miles  away.  No  time  was 
taken  for  dinner,  but  on  we  marched,  I'eaching  Rock  Creek  at 
about  5 o’clock  in  the  afternoon.  Here  the  canteens  were  filled 
and  some  preparations  were  made  for  satisfying  the  hunger  that 
each  one  felt,  having  taken  no  food,  except  by  snatches,  since 
the  march  began  on  the  previous  evening ; but  before  coffee 
could  be  made  orders  came  for  the  troops  to  advance.  The  news 
of  the  arrival  of  the  Sixth  corps  was  greeted  with  cheer  after 
cheer,  as  the  word  flew  from  division  to  division  along  the  lines. 
The  Fifth  Maine,  that  evening  of  July  2d,  moved  to  the  front, 
as  far  as  Plum  Run,  some  thirty  or  forty  rods  in  advance  of 
the  position  indicated  by  this  monument,  in  the  direction  of 
Devil’s  Den,  though  later  in  the  evening  it  formed  its  line  on 
the  right  of  Little  Round  Top.  On  the  following  morning  the 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  : EDWARDS’  ADDRESS. 


379 


stone-wall — which  still  remains  much  as  we  left  it — was  thrown 
up.  A few  prisoners  were  found  in  yonder  house — or  rather 
in  one  which  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  buildings. 

The  morning  of  July  3d  found  the  Fifth  in  an  important 
position,  though  little  was  required  other  than  holding  what  had 
been  secured.  Throughout  July  3d  the  regiment  remained  in 
the  position  taken.  The  forenoon  wore  away.  At  one  o’clock 
the  storm  of  battle  broke.  The  air  was  filled  with  bursting 
shells  and  solid  shot.  For  nearly  two  hours  the  terrible  can- 
nonading continued.  Then  came  the  famous  charge  of  Pickett, 
which  was  against  the  centre  of  the  Union  line,  while  we  were 
further  to  the  left.  On  the  evening  of  July  3d  three  companies 
of  the  regiment  went  forward  towards  the  Emmitsburg  road  to 
reconnoitre,  to  look  for  men  who  had  been  wounded  the  day 
before  and  to  bring  them  in  ; several  were  found  ; we  also  found 
near  the  Trostle  buildings,  as  if  abandoned,  a cannon,  two 
limbers  and  some  other  artillery  property,  which  we  hauled 
back  that  night.  This  belonged  to  the  9th  Mass,  battery,  and 
had  been  lost  during  the  fight  of  Sickles’  corps  on  the  2d  of 
July.  The  battle  of  Gettysburg  had  been  fought  and  won. 
In  the  afternoon  and  night  of  July  4th  the  rain  fell  in  torrents, 
and  under  cover  of  the  storm  Lee  began  his  movements  towards 
Virginia. 

On  July  5th  the  regiment,  while  in  pursuit  of  Lee’s  army, 
had  engagements  at  Fairfield,  and  later  at  Funkstown  and  Will- 
iamsport. The  next  battle  of  importance  was  at  Rappahannock 
Station,  November  7,  1863.  It  was  here  that  the  Fifth  Maine 
and  the  121st  N.  Y.,  the  gallant  "Onesters,”  charged  upon 
the  works  of  the  enemy,  capturing  nearly  three  times  as  many 
prisoners  as  there  were  men  in  the  two  regiments.  Our  troops 
took  up  positions  on  the  right  of  the  railroad  and  formed  line 
of  battle.  The  enemy  having  been  pressed  back  from  the  high 
ground  in  front,  the  regiment  advanced,  under  a heavy  artillery 
fire  from  their  batteries,  to  within  short  range  of  their  rifle-pits. 
Lieut. -Colonel  Millett  was  wounded  in  this  movement  by  a 
shell-fragment.  About  sunset  an  advance  was  ordered  and  the 
regiment  moved  forward,  notwithstanding  the  terrific  musketry 
fire  poured  into  it.  Soon  after,  a movement  to  the  right  was 


380 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ordered,  and  when  the  regiment  lined  up  again  it  was  to  charge. 
With  a yell,  and  amid  a shower  of  bullets,  the  Fifth  rushed  on 
unmindful  of  danger.  The  enemy  was  taken  by  surprise  and 
the  rifle-pits  were  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  Mean- 
while the  troops  on  the  left  having,  after  a heroic  and  san- 
guinary struggle,  carried  the  redoubts  and  fortifications  at  that 
point,  the  enemy,  to  escape,  were  pressing  to  a pontoon  bridge, 
their  only  means  of  crossing  the  river.  The  arrival  of  the 
Fifth  among  them,  and  the  confusion  which  it  created,  enabled 
us  to  gather  the  fruits  of  victory  in  unstinted  measure.  The 
bi’idge  was  secured  to  us,  and  after  a little  resistance  a capture 
of  some  twelve  hundred  prisoners,  among  whom  were  two  brig- 
ade commanders  and  many  field  and  staff  officers,  was  effected. 
Four  battle-flags  of  the  regiments  opposing  us  were  captured 
also,  Lieutenant  Lyon,  commanding  company  K,  taking  the 
colors  of  the  8th  La.,  Corporal  Blondel  of  D that  of  the  6th 
No.  Car.,  Corporal  Shackford  of  company  A that  of  the  54th 
No.  Car.,  James  A.  Littlefield  of  company  I that  of  the  7th  No. 
Car.  The  flags  were  subsequently  presented  to  General  Meade. 
At  this  battle  the  swords  of  Colonels  Penn  of  Louisiana  and 
Godwin  and  Murchison  of  North  Carolina,  the  two  first  named 
being  in  command  of  brigades,  also  forty-six  other  swords, 
were  surrendered  to  the  colonel  of  the  Fifth ; and  Lieutenant 
McLellan  and  others  also  got  some.  Major  Daggett  was  detailed 
by  Colonel  Upton,  who  commanded  the  brigade,  to  command 
the  battalion  which  escorted  the  captured  flags  and  trophies  of 
the  charge  to  General  Meade’s  headquarters.  Our  loss  in  killed 
was  7,  including  Lieutenant  French  and  acting  Lieut.  Tubbs 
(the  latter’s  commission  as  Lieutenant  being  then  on  its  way) , 
and  28  wounded,  several  of  whom  died  of  their  wounds.  We 
must  not  forget  to  mention  the  active  part  taken  by  the  Sixth 
Maine  in  this  glorious  battle.  That  regiment  charged  the 
enemy’s  redoubt  at  our  left  and  won  its  renowned  victory. 

The  last  week  of  November,  1863,  found  the  regiment,  on 
the  brief  campaign  south  of  the  Rapidan,  at  Locust  Grove, 
facing  the  enemy  once  more,  but  in  this  engagement  our  loss 
was  slight.  Two  days  later  found  the  Fifth  skirmishing  across 
Mine  Run  with  but  small  loss.  Returning  to  our  camp  at 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


381 


Welford’s  Ford,  on  the  Major  plantation,  we  remained,  pleas- 
antly situated,  during  the  winter.  The  regiment,  instructed  in 
drills  and  discipline,  grew  still  more  proficient. 

The  regiment  broke  camp  at  Hazel  River  May  3,  1864, 
marched  and  crossed  the  Rapidan  at  Germanna  Ford.  The 
regiment  had  about  275  effective  men  in  the  ranks,  with  the 
following  officers : Colonel  Edwards,  Lieut. -Col.  Millett, 
Major  Daggett,  Adjutant  Parsons,  as  field  and  staff ; the  line 
officers  being  Captains : Robinson,  Small,  Harris,  Sanborn, 
Ladd,  Clark  and  Lemont  (Captains  Stevens  and  Walker  being- 
detached  at  division  headquarters)  ; First  Lieutenants  : W.  E. 
Stevens,  Dexter,  Wight,  Lunt,  O.  B.  Stevens,  Summersides, 
Mitchell  and  Lyon ; Second  Lieutenants  : Grenier,  Patterson, 
Hutchings,  McLellan,  Golclthwaite  and  acting  Lieut.  Paradis. 

On  the  5th  and  6th  participated  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness. During  the  three  following  days  it  was  under  fire,  and 
on  the  10th  took  part  in  one  of  the  desperate  charges  of  the 
great  battle  of  Spotsylvania.  The  Fifth  Maine  was  one  of  the 
twelve  picked  regiments  selected  for  the  charge  on  the  right  of 
the  centre  of  the  enemy’s  line.  The  Fifth  numbered  about  200 
men  in  the  ranks,  40  others,  with  three  officers,  being  absent 
on  picket  duty.  As  the  twelve  regiments  were  formed  in  line 
of  battle,  General  Wright  said  to  the  commander  of  the  Fifth  : 
"Colonel,  I give  you  the  place  of  honor  in  this  charge.  I give 
you  one  of  the  best  regiments  in  the  whole  service  as  a support. 
If  you  get  into  their  works,  serve  them  as  you  did  at  Rappa- 
hannock Station.”  The  regiment  referred  to  bv  the  General  as 
a support  was  the  noble  Sixth  Maine.  Behind  this  was  the  5th 
Wis.  On  the  right  of  the  Fifth  Maine  was  the  121st  N.  Y. — 
as  brave  a regiment  as  was  ever  mustered  into  the  service.  In 
the  grand  charge  that  was  made,  11  of  the  17  line  officers  of 
the  Fifth  who  went  in  were  killed  or  wounded,  and  one-half  of 
the  men  were  shot  down  while  crossing  a field  not  more  than 
ten  rods  in  width,  and  in  less  than  two  minutes  of  time.  The 
defenses  of  the  enemy  were  reached  and  passed.  A hand-to- 
hand  conflict  ensued.  Nearly  two  thousand  prisoners  were 
captured  by  the  column,  but  many  of  the  prisoners  escaped ; 


382 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  Fifth  captured  two  colors,  one  of  these  being  taken  by 
Lieutenant  Paradis. 

You  have  heard  and  seen  various  skeptical  inquiries  and 
remarks  concerning  bayonet  conflicts  and  wounds.  Some  time 
since  a friend  of  his  inquired  of  General  Upton,  our  brigade 
commander,  as  to  the  use  of  the  bayonet,  and  I give  you  an 
extract  from  his  reply  which  any  one  can  find  in  Fox’s  Regi- 
mental Losses,  page  78,  foot  note,  as  follows  : " * * bayo- 

net wounds  and  sabre  cuts  are  very  rare.  But  at  Spotsylvania 
there  were  plenty  of  bayonet  wounds,  and  no  picture  could 
give  too  exalted  an  idea  of  the  gallantry  of  the  121st  N.  Y., 
5th  Maine,  and  96th  Penn.,  as  they  led  the  assaulting  column 
of  twelve  picked  regiments  over  the  formidable  intrenchments 
which  confronted  them.”  And  need  I ask  you,  soldiers  of  the 
Fifth  Maine,  whether  anybody  got  hurt  by  the  bayonet?  Think 
of  our  lion-hearted  Corporal,  Cyrus  Thurlow,  our  strong  man, 
who,  having  carried  our  colors  through  the  battle  of  the  Wil- 
derness, when  he  found  that  we  were  to  charge  the  enemy’s 
works,  came  and  asked  to  exchange  the  colors  for  a musket, 
that  he  might  do  his  share  of  work  that  afternoon  of  May  10th  ; 
and  going  forward  with  us  in  the  foremost  ranks,  pressed  on 
into  the  second  line  of  works  where  the  fierce  hand-to-hand 
conflict  took  place,  to  the  bitter  end  and  overthrow  of  our 
opponents  ; and  where  Thurlow,  too,  gave  up  his  life  for  the 
great  cause  that  he  fought  for.  His  last  act,  seen  by  his  com- 
panions, was  when  his  special  antagonists,  in  a bunch,  refused 
to  throw  down  their  arms ; he  instantly,  defending  himself, 
with  fierce  thrusts  disabled  two  of  them  with  his  bayonet ; but 
there  were  too  many  for  him.  The  incredulous  are  referred  to 
the  official  report  of  General  Upton,  Rebellion  Records,  Vol. 
36,  part  1,  page  668,  in  which  he  describes  some  of  the  gallant 
deeds  of  the  Fifth  Maine  regiment  in  this  battle. 

On  the  morning  of  May  12th,  as  Hancock’s  corps  stormed 
the  "salient,”  or  angle,  the  Fifth  Maine  was  ordered  to  join  in 
supporting  the  attack.  Moving  to  the  right  of  the  angle,  it 
was  the  first  regiment  to  charge  the  enemy  at  this  point.  The 
enemy’s  fire  on  our  right  compelled  the  right  to  fall  back,  mak- 
ing an  angle,  the  open  flank  being  about  fifty  paces  from  their 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  : EDWARDS’  ADDRESS. 


383 


works.  Throughout  the  day  and  late  into  the  night  the  battle 
raged.  It  was  here  that  the  Colonel,  Lieutenant  Wight  (a), 
and  some  other  officers  of  the  regiment  ran  up,  by  pushing 
with  shoulders  against  the  wheels,  two  guns  that  had  ceased 
firing  for  lack  of  cannoneers  and,  by  infantry  volunteers  aiding 
the  artillery-men,  made  use  of  them  during  the  contest.  The 
brigade  was  relieved  about  6 p.  m.,  after  ten  hours  of  fighting. 
In  the  eight  days  of  the  campaign  we  had  lost  of  our  officers 
Captain  Lemont  and  Lieut.  Lyon,  killed ; Captain  Clark  and 
Lieut.  O.  B.  Stevens,  mortally  wounded ; Captains  Robinson, 
Harris  and  Ladd  and  Lieuts.  Grenier,  McLellan  and  Hutchings, 
wounded,  beside  two  or  three  others  slightly  wounded. 

The  morning  of  the  13th  found  the  regiment  with  less  than 
sixty  men  ready  for  duty,  and  only  one  line  officer.  This  num- 
ber was  subsequently  increased  by  the  return  of  men  detailed  in 
the  past  and  of  those  who  had  been  slightly  wounded.  The 
regiment  crossed  the  North  Anna  May  23d,  and  helped  to  destroy 
the  Virginia  Central  Railroad,  as  far  as  Hewlett’s  Station. 
There  was  considerable  skirmishing  until  June  1st,  when  late  in 
the  afternoon  a sharp  fight  occurred  at  Cold  Harbor.  This  was 
the  first  and  only  time  in  the  history  of  the  regiment  that  it 
acted  as  a support  to  infantry  in  a charge,  and  the  first  time  that 
the  regiment  during  some  portion  of  an  action  was  not  on  the 
front  line  of  battle.  Until  June  12th  the  regiment  was  daily 
under  fire.  Crossing  the  James  River  at  Bermuda  Hundreds 
the  Fifth  reached  the  vicinity  of  Petersburg  June  17th,  and  on 
the  following  morning,  at  2:30  o’clock,  was  ordered  out  to 
make  a charge.  The  order  was,  however,  soon  countermanded, 
as  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy  was  too  strongly  intrenched 
to  be  driven  from  its  position.  A movement  was  then  made 
around  Petersburg  to  secure  the  Weldon  Railroad,  where  the 
regiment  had  its  last  fight  with  the  enemy. 

The  order  relieving  the  men  from  further  service,  the  time 
of  enlistment  having  expired,  found  them  on  the  23d  of  June 
in  the  rifle-pits  on  the  line  of  battle,  with  loaded  muskets  facing 
the  enemy.  On  the  evening  of  the  23d  the  regiment  marched 

(a)  Evidence  concerning  this  act  can  be  found  on  the  files  of  the  Pension  Office 
at  Washington. 


384 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


to  City  Point,  and  on  the  following  morning  boarded  the  steamer 
John  Brooks  for  Washington.  But  it  was  not  allowed  to  leave 
the  army  until  General  Upton  had  expressed  his  sentiments  in 
a letter,  prepared  by  himself,  which  was  read  to  the  regiment 
as  we  were  about  to  embark.  Perhaps  if  I again  read  it  here 
it  may  quicken  your  blood  : — 

“Headquarters  Second  Brigade,  June  23,  1864. 

“ Colonel  Edwards,  Officers  and  Men  of  the  Fifth  Maine  Regiment: — 

“At  the  expiration  of  your  term  of  service,  I feel  it  a great  pleasure  to 
signify  to  you  my  appreciation  of  the  services  you  have  rendered  your  country. 
Your  gallantry,  your  constancy,  your  devotion  to  the  flag  of  your  country, 
your  patient  endurance  of  fatigue  during  the  campaigns  of  three  long  years, 
entitle  you  to  the  lasting  gratitude  and  esteem  of  your  countrymen.  Spring- 
ing to  arms  at  the  first  sound  of  danger,  you  have  given  proof  of  your  valor 
and  patriotism  on  every  field,  from  the  first  Bull  Run  to  the  present  time. 
Leaving  your  native  state  with  over  one  thousand  and  forty  men,  and  receiv- 
ing a large  number  of  recruits,  you  now  return  with  but  two  hundred  and 
sixteen. 

“ The  long  list  of  battles  in  which  you  have  participated,  including  Bull 
Run,  West  Point,  Gaines’  Mill,  Charles  City  Cross-roads,  Crampton’s  Gap, 
Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Salem  Heights,  Gettysburg,  Rappahannock  Sta- 
tion, eight  days’  battle  in  the  wilderness  and  at  Spotsylvania  court-house,  and 
Cold  Harbor,  will  account  for  your  losses. 

“ Repeatedly  have  the  colors  of  the  Fifth  Maine  been  floated  over  the 
enemy’s  works.  From  behind  their  intrenchments  you  have  captured  the 
battle-flags  of  five  of  the  proudest  regiments  in  the  Confederate  service;  and 
while  inflicting  a loss  equal  to  your  own,  you  have  in  addition  captured  more 
prisoners  than  you  have  borne  names  on  your  rolls.  But  while  your  former 
services  have  won  for  you  the  admiration  and  confidence  of  your  command- 
ing officers,  your  example  and  conduct  during  the  present  campaign  forms 
the  brightest  page  of  your  history. 

“After  three  years’  hard  fighting,  well  knowing  the  risks  of  battle,  not 
even  the  ardent  desire  or  the  immediate  prospect  of  being  restored  to  your 
friends  could  dampen  your  ardor  or  enthusiasm;  but  like  brave  and  patriotic 
men  you  have  fought  nobly  to  the  end  of  your  term,  adding  with  each  day 
increased  luster  to  your  arms.  With  this  brilliant  record  and  the  proud  con- 
sciousness that  you  have  stood  by  your  country  in  the  darkest  hour  of  her 
peril,  you  now  return  to  your  homes  where  you  will  receive  the  homage  due 
the  services  you  have  rendered. 

“ Bidding  each  and  every  one  of  you,  in  behalf  of  your  old  comrades  in 
arms,  a hearty  God-speed,  I have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

“ E.  Upton,  Brigadier-General,  Commanding .” 

On  reaching  Washington  the  Fifth  was  ordered  into  camp 
in  a pasture  near  the  boat  landing,  a place  selected  by  the 
authorities ; but  not  caring  to  obey  this  order,  the  regiment 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


385 


marched  into  the  city  and  camped  for  the  night  on  the  grounds 
of  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  remaining  here  until  paid  off  on 
the  evening  of  the  26th,  when  it  started  for  the  north. 

Before  leaving  the  army  at  Petersburg  an  order  was  received 
from  the  General  commanding  the  army  for  the  regiment  to  take 
home  the  battle-flags  captured  on  the  line  of  battle.  During  its 
term  of  service  six  flags  had  been  taken  — four  at  Rappahannock 
Station  and  two  at  Spotsylvania  — though  the  regiment  is  only 
credited  with  the  capture  of  five.  The  flag  not  accounted  for 
in  records  was  taken  in  the  charge  at  Spotsylvania,  May  10, 
1864.  Doubtless  the  member  of  the  Fifth  to  whom  the  flag 
was  given  was  killed,  and  the  flag  fell  into  the  hands  of  some 
other  command  that  later  passed  over  the  same  ground.  The 
flags  are  now  in  the  state  and  national  capitols.  The  staves  are 
in  the  Memorial  Building  on  Peaks  Island.  The  army  records 
at  Washington,  at  the  time  the  regiment  passed  through  the 
city  on  its  way  home,  showed  that  no  regiment  had  up  to  that 
time  captured  more  flags  than  the  Fifth.  During  its  three  years 
of  service  it  had  captured  more  than  two  thousand  prisoners. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Portland,  July  27,  1864. 


POEM. 

READ  BY  MRS.  HELEN  S.  PACKARD, 

WIFE  OF  LIEUT.  JOHN  A.  A.  PACKARD. 

Oh,  native  State,  I sing  of  thee! 

Broad  field  of  Freedom’s  loyal  thought, 

Thy  scented  pines  are  dear  to  me, 

Thy  vales  with  tenderest  memories  fraught. 

Each  northern  blast  that  sweeps  along 
Thy  cragged  hills,  or  mountain  tips, 

Is  dearer  far  than  sweetest  song 
That  ever  fell  from  artist  lips. 

Thy  salt  sea  marshes  freshly  blown 
By  winds  that  sweep  the  open  sea, 

Thy  gray  old  rocks  with  moss  o’ergrown 
Are  sacred  still  to  mine  and  me. 

Oh,  grand  old  State!  land  where  I drew 

My  earliest  breath,  whose  fresh,  strong  breeze 
Told  murmuring  tales  of  valor  true, 

And  whispered  in  the  leafy  trees. 


386 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


I come  to-day,  with  every  nerve 

Quivering  with  love  for  native  sod  ; 

With  courage  every  end  to  serve, 

One  flag,  one  country,  and  one  God. 

THE  VOICE  OF  MAINE. 

Along  the  outmost  eastern  line 

That  marks  our  country’s  unlocked  gate, 
Crested  with  hill,  and  towering  pine, 

Fair  lies  our  noble  Pine  Tree  State. 

Thy  landlocked  bays,  thy  islands  green, 

Thy  purpling  mountains  flushed  with  light, 
Thy  broadening  streams  that  lie  between, 

Are  sweet  to  soul  and  sense  and  sight. 

The  blue  Atlantic  laps  thy  coast 
In  tender  song  and  music  wild, 

Thy  granite  hills,  our  pride  and  boast, 

Are  dear  to  every  wandering  child. 

Oh,  rock-bound  State!  Not  long  ago, 

O’er  rugged  hill  and  fertile  plain 
A clarion  voice  spoke,  and  lo! 

Thy  sons  sprang  up,  oh,  loyal  Maine. 

That  voice  aroused  the  slumbering  hills, 

It  sounded  down  the  lonely  coast, 

Along  the  mountain  streams  and  rills 
It  woke  to  life  a mighty  host. 

O’er  rocky  farm,  through  village  street, 

Across  the  meadows  green  and  fair, 

In  bugle  note,  and  drums’  loud  beat, 

It  sounded  through  the  slumbering  air. 

It  touched  the  bench,  the  loom,  the  wheel, 

It  echoed  loud  the  anvil’s  ring, 

And  dreaming  student  woke  to  feel 
That  Self  was  slave  and  Duty  king. 

Not  long  ago.  But  yet  the  chimes 

That  tell  the  tireless  round  of  years, 

Have  sounded  eight  and  twenty  times 
The  signal  of  life’s  hopes  and  fears. 

It  is  not  long,  we  measure  space 

Not  by  the  span  that  binds  us  here, 

But  in  the  light  of  deeds  we  trace 

Their  names  in  letters  bright  and  clear. 

And  were  ye  lacking,  sons  of  Maine, 

When  duty’s  call  rang  in  your  ears? 

Your  ’scutcheons  show  no  blot,  no  stain, 
Undimmed  by  aught  save  loving  tears. 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  : MRS.  PACKARD’S  POEM. 


387 


Where  are  they  now  ? Go,  ask  the  Past, 
That  opens  wide  to-day  her  door, 

And  bid  her  tell  of  shadows  cast 

O’er  hearts  and  homes  forevermore. 

She  tells  of  shattered  dreams  and  hopes, 

Of  fires  long  quenched,  of  other  years, 
Of  sunken  graves  on  sunny  slopes 

Kept  fresh  by  memory’s  loving  tears. 

With  background  dark  of  hill  and  wood, 

’ Neath  rugged  rock  and  leafy  tree 
We  stand  to-day,  where  once  they  stood 
A firm  and  tried  phalanstery. 

And  here  with  us  in  proud  array 

Stands  that  old  band  of  comrades  true, 
Who  marched  with  us  that  far-off  day, 

Brave,  loyal  hearts  ’neath  garb  of  blue. 

In  spite  of  strange,  tumultuous  thought, 
That  teems  and  crowds  our  busy  brain, 
We  welcome  those  who  with  us  fought, 
Back  to  our  presence  once  again. 

Oh,  loyal,  great,  true-hearted  ones! 

The  noble  Empire  State  ne’er  gave 
More  faithful,  brave,  devoted  sons 
To  do  their  part  amid  the  brave. 

Though  furrowed  brow  and  silvered  hair 
Tell  the  old  story  on  each  face, 

Though  time  has  plowed  deep  lines  of  care 
Instead  of  old-time,  boyish  grace, 

Yet  still  to-day  we  give  you  cheer 

With  throbbing  hearts  of  joy  and  pain; 
With  you  we  drop  the  silent  tear 

For  those  who  ne’er  came  back  again. 

With  you,  we  here  rejoice  once  more, 

That  we  may  give  the  friendly  grasp, 
And  once  again  live  old  times  o’er, 

And  feel  again  the  old  hand  clasp. 

Oh,  comrades  from  the  Empire  State! 

’Twere  worth  the  living  o’er  again, 
Those  deadly  days  of  war  and  hate, 

Those  weary  hours  of  strife  and  pain; 

’Twere  worth  the  suffering  and  the  fear, 
’Twere  worth  the  heavy  debt  we  paid, 
To  see  thy  bronzed  faces  here 

Amid  this  green  and  leafy  shade. 

Between  our  parted,  sundered  lives 

Old  Time  has  plowed  a chasm  deep, 


388 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


But  all  his  manacles  and  gyves 
Can  never  chain  true  comradeship. 

And  so,  across  a silver  bridge, 

We  give  the  clasping  hand  to  thee, 

Our  comrades  true,  on  plain  and  ridge, 

Our  comrades  for  eternity. 

Bound  close  by  ties  that  death  nor  fate 

Can  e’er  have  power  to  change  or  part, 
Though  shadows  fall  — the  hour  late  — 

Yet  still  each  heart  shall  answer  heart. 

Here  raged  the  conflict;  sinking  low 

The  sun  shone  red  where  cannon  pealed, 
And  in  the  west,  with  molten  glow, 

Shed  sullen  radiance  o’er  the  field. 

On  blood-stained  grass,  once  fresh  and  green, 
He  cast  his  dying  rays  of  light, 

And  then  o’er  all  the  dreadful  scene 

Low  fell  the  friendly  shades  of  night. 

No  whistling  bullets  chill  our  blood, 

No  cries  ring  through  the  autumn  air, 

But  soft  winds  fall  in  tender  flood 

And  trees  and  flowers  are  passing  fair. 

We  hear  no  tread  of  martial  feet, 

No  hoof  beats  ring  with  clattering  sound 
Across  the  grass  and  clover  sweet, 

No  cannons  peal  their  deadly  round. 

We  see  no  serried  columns  there, 

No  loud,  commanding  tones  we  hear, 

No  phantom  presence  haunts  the  air, 

No  step  is  heard  by  conscious  ears. 

But  here  beneath  these  tranquil  skies 
We  stand  to-day  in  solemn  thought, 

And  grateful  prayers  like  incense  rise 

To  those  who  suffered,  bled  and  fought. 

Oh,  heroes  from  the  Pine  Tree  State! 

You  kept  the  bridge  in  manly  part, 

Not  blood  nor  carnage,  death  nor  fate, 

Could  turn  one  true  or  loyal  heart. 

Did  Nature  in  that  far-off  time 

When  slow  she  moulded,  day  by  day, 
Divine  the  purpose,  grand,  sublime, 

Which  grew  within  the  hardening  clay  ? 

Did  she  e’er  dream  in  ages  past, 

What  miracles  should  balance  fate, 

And  that  from  out  her  storehouse  vast 
Her  treasures  should  commemorate  ? 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


389 


Her  mines  of  wealth  imprisoned  deep, 
Should  grow  beneath  the  chisel’s  will, 
To  towering  shaft  and  pillar  steep 
In  forms  of  grace  by  human  skill  ? 

In  every  tinted  granite  vein, 

In  every  block  of  native  stone, 

In  lordly  oak  and  stately  pine, 

The  blossom  of  your  fame  is  blown. 

The  radiance  of  your  star  shall  glow 

Brighter  than  stars  that  shine  at  night, 
And  God  in  righteous  power  will  show 
The  balance  sheet  of  truth  and  right. 

In  future’s  grasp  your  fame  still  lies, 

An  untouched  book,  its  pages  clear, 

A tiny  tree  that  yet  shall  rise 

And  spread  its  branches  far  and  near. 

Our  glorious  dead!  Oh,  comrades  gray, 
Uncover  now  your  reverent  heads, 

They  sweetly  sleep,  step  softly,  pray, 

Above  their  low  and  narrow  beds. 

Sleep  well,  oh  Dead,  for  you  too  soon 

Were  past  all  passions,  hopes  and  fears. 
Above  your  graves  each  year  shall  bloom 
The  grasses  watered  by  our  tears. 

Above  these  consecrated  grounds, 

We  pledge  our  faith  and  love  anew. 
Time’s  shadow  on  the  sunken  mounds 
Shall  never  dim  our  worship  true. 

Our  living  heroes,  ye  who  come 
To  render  tribute  here  to-day, 

Victors  are  you,  ’neath  this  fair  dome 

Crowned  fresh  with  ivy,  palm  and  bay. 

Live  as  ye  fought  in  war’s  dark  night, 

With  faces  turned  to  meet  the  foe, 

Fight  to  uphold  the  freeman’s  right 
And  render  justice  for  each  blow. 

By  our  dear  dead,  whose  spirits  drift 

Above  the  mounds  that  hold  their  dust, 
Be  watchful,  vigilant  and  swift, 

To  ever  guard  your  living  trust. 

Theirs  be  sweet  rest,  of  valor  born, 

Yours  be  the  living,  glowing  name, 

In  golden  text  inscribed  upon 

The  shadowy  muster-roll  of  fame. 


390 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

The  Fifth  Maine  regiment  was  raised  in  the  spring  and 
early  summer  of  1861,  almost  without  an  effort,  responding 
quickly  to  the  governor’s  call  to  arms.  The  swelling  tide  of 
patriotism  could  not  be  restrained  ; the  limits  set  by  the  national 
authorities  were  speedily  reached,  to  the  full  measure  of  the 
number  of  men  it  was  willing  to  receive  in  the  military  service . 
The  Fifth  was  made  up  of  companies  newly  organized,  one 
each  at  Gorham,  Biddeford,  Saco,  Brunswick,  Lewiston,  Bethel 
and  Minot,  and  three  at  Portland.  The  company  locations 
indicate  that  the  rank  and  file  came  from  the  counties  of  Cum- 
berland, York,  Androscoggin  and  Oxford.  The  rendezvous 
was  at  Portland,  and  at  its  muster  into  the  U.  S.  service  on 
the  24th  of  June,  1861,  for  three  years,  its  organization  was 
as  follows  : — 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Mark  H.  Dunnell,  Portland. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Edwin  Illsley,  Lewiston. 

Major,  Samuel  C.  Hamilton,  Biddeford. 

Adjutant,  Charles  S.  Whitman,  Portland,  Second  Lieut.  Co.  E. 

Quartermaster,  John  S.  Merrill,  Gorham,  Second  Lieut.  Co.  A. 

Surgeon,  Benjamin  S.  Buxton,  Warren. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Francis  G.  Warren,  Biddeford. 

Chaplain,  John  N.  Adams,  Portland. 

Sergeant-Major,  Frederick  Speed,  Gorham. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Adelbert  B.  Twitched,  Bethel. 

Commissary-Sergeant,  Benjamin  Freeman,  Bethel. 

Hospital  Steward,  William  S.  Noyes,  Saco. 

Band  Leader,  Jonathan  Cole,  Portland. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  Josiah  Heald,  Gorham. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  Merrill,  Gorham. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  S.  Merrill,  Gorham. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  Lewis  B.  Goodwin,  Biddeford. 

First  Lieutenant,  Robert  M.  Stevens,  Biddeford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel  H.  Pillsbury,  Biddeford. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  Isaac  B.  Noyes,  Saco. 

First  Lieutenant,  Frederick  S.  Gurney,  Saco. 

Second  Lieutenant,  David  S.  Barrows,  Saco. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Edward  W.  Thompson,  Brunswick. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  B.  Kenniston,  Boothbay. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Small,  Topsham. 


FIFTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


391 


Co.  E.  Captain,  Emery  W.  Sawyer,  Lisbon. 

First  Lieutenant,  Aaron  S.  Daggett,  Greene. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  S.  Whitman,  Portland. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  George  P.  Sherwood,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Nathan  Walker,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  E.  Atwood,  Gardiner. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Henry  G.  Thomas,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  W.  Martin,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Thomas  J.  Sawyer,  Portland. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  Edward  A.  Scamman,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Ambrose  S.  Dyer,  Yarmouth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel  Munson,  Portland. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Clark  S.  Edwards,  Bethel. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  B.  Walker,  Bethel. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Cyrus  M.  Wormell,  Bethel. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  William  A.  Tobie,  Poland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Hamlin  T.  Bucknam,  Minot. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Burbank  Spiller,  Raymond. 

The  regiment  left  Portland  June  26,  1861,  proceeded  to 
Washington  and  remained  in  that  vicinity  until  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run.  Previous  to  this  battle,  in  which  it  took  part,  the 
Fifth  was  assigned  to  a brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  Howard 
of  the  Third  Maine,  in  Heintzelman’s  division.  In  October 
it  was  transferred  to  Slocum’s  brigade  (Seventh)  of  General 
Franklin’s  division,  and  went  into  camp  near  Alexandria,  and 
doing  picket  duty  near  Mount  Vernon,  with  frequent  skir- 
mishes. The  regiment  was  not  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  in 
April  and  May,  1862,  but  with  Franklin’s  division  remained  on 
transports  on  the  rivers.  Early  in  May  the  regiment  engaged 
in  the  field  operations  of  McClellan,  and  after  that  had  a share 
in  the  various  battles  of  the  Peninsula  campaign,  terminating  at 
Harrison’s  Landing  on  the  James  River.  May  18,  1862,  the 
Sixth  corps  was  formed,  with  General  Franklin  in  command, 
composed  of  two  divisions,  Slocum’s  and  Smith’s.  The  brigade 
to  which  the  Fifth  belonged  became  the  Second  brigade  of  the 
First  division,  and  throughout  its  subsequent  history  the  regi- 
ment retained  its  place  in  the  same  brigade  of  the  same  division 
of  the  Sixth  corps. 

Returning  from  the  peninsula  when  the  battle  of  Second 
Bull  Run  was  in  progress,  the  Fifth  took  only  a slight  part  in 
that,  but  was  actively  engaged  at  Crampton's  Gap  and  at 


392 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Antietam  September  14  and  17,  1862.  The  subsequent  history 
of  the  regiment  is  so  clearly  dehned  in  the  Address,  given  on 
the  preceding  pages,  by  the  officer  who  so  long  commanded  the 
regiment  and  finally  brought  it  home  for  muster-out,  that  we 
omit  the  details  of  its  general  campaigns.  The  regiment 
received  a warm  reception,  amounting  to  an  ovation,  upon  its 
arrival  at  Portland,  the  last  of  June,  1864  ; its  march  through 
the  streets  was  a triumphal  procession  ; a public  reception  and 
a royal  feast  attested  the  high  regard  in  which  each  hero  of  the 
Fifth  was  held  at  home.  The  final  muster-out  did  not  take 
place  until  July  27,  1864  (a). 

The  men  present,  mustered  out  with  the  organization, 
numbered  193,  besides  the  officers ; 116  of  the  regiment  had 
re-enlisted  about  the  first  of  January,  1864,  and  the  survivors 
of  these,  78  in  number,  with  the  later  recruits  and  several 
officers,  were  assigned  to  the  Seventh  Maine  regiment,  shortly 
after  merged  into  the  First  Maine  Veterans  a regiment  organ- 
ized in  Virginia  September  20,  1864,  made  up  from  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  Fifth,  Sixth  and  Seventh  Maine  regiments  who 
were  not  discharged  or  mustered  out  with  their  original  organ- 
izations.  This  new  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Third  brigade, 
Second  division  of  the  Sixth  corps  and,  being  thus,  composed  of 
excellent  elements,  made  a brilliant  record  for  itself  in  the 
campaign  of  General  Sheridan  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Sep- 
tember and  October,  1864,  taking  part  in  the  battles  of  Charles- 
town, Winchester,  Fisher’s  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek. 

Rejoining  the  army  of  the  Potomac  in  December,  1864,  it 
in  the  spring  participated  with  great  honor  in  the  breaking  of 
the  Petersburg  lines  and  the  pursuit  of  Lee’s  army  until  its 
surrender;  it  was  mustered  out  June  28,  1865,  rounding  out, 
for  many  of  the  men,  a term  of  four  years’  service. 

(a)  The  monument  inscription  erroneously  reads,  "mustered  out  June  27,”  pre- 
cisely as  furnished  to  the  executive  committee  hy  a representative  of  the  Fifth 
Maine.  The  regimental  officers  have  applied  to  correct  the  inscription  to  “July  27.” 


ROSTER  OF  THE  FIFTH  REGIMENT. 


3 93 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Fifth 
Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army  Register, 
published  by  the  War  Department  August  31,  1865,  and  other 
reliable  sources  : — - 

Officers  at  Muster-out  July  27,  1864. 

Colonel:  Clark  S.  Edwards,  Jan.  8,  1863, — brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Vols., 
Mar.  13,  1865. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Henry  R.  Millett,  Jan.  8,  1863. 

Major:  Aaron  S.  Daggett,  Apr.  14,  1863, — Lieut. -Col.  5th  U.  S.  Vet. 
Vols.,  Jan.,  1865;  brevet  Col.  and  brevet  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols.,  Mar.  13, 
1865;  Captain  16th  Inft’y  U.  S.  A.,  July,  1866;  brevet  Major  and  Lieut.-Col. 
U.  S.  A.;  Lieut.-Col.  25th  Inft’y,  U.  S.  A. 

Adjutant:  First  Lieut.  George  B.  Parsons.  Apr.  4,  1864. 

Captains:  Charles  H.  Small,  Oct.  7,  1861;  Robert  M.  Stevens,  Feb.  7, 
1862;  Alburn  P.  Harris,  July  3,  1862;  Edward  M.  Robinson,  Apr.  13,  1863; 
Frederick  G.  Sanborn,  Apr.  13,  1863;  John  D.  Ladd,  Nov.  1,  1863;  Nathan 
Walker,  Nov.  1,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  William  E.  Stevens,  Nov.  1,  1862;  Charles  B. 
Dexter,  Nov.  1,  1862;  W.  B.  Fenderson,  Quartermaster,  Nov.  26,  1862; 
Joseph  Wight,  May  1,  1863;  Lewis  H.  Lunt,  May  1,  1863;  John  H.  Stevens, 
May  25,  1863,  paroled  prisoner,  discharged  Mar.  16,  1865;  John  C.  Summer- 
sides,  Nov.  1,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Frank  G.  Patterson,  Apr.  20,  1863;  George  A. 
Chandler,  May  3,  1863,  paroled  prisoner,  discharged  Mar.  16,  1865;  Sidney 
H.  Hutchings,  June  19,  1863. 

Surgeon:  Francis  G.  Warren,  Jan.  9,  1S63. 

Assistant  Surgeon:  Melville  H.  Manson,  May  4,  1863. 

Chaplain:  John  R.  Adams,  June  24,  1861. 

(The  dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission;  those  hereafter 
given  refer  to  the  date  of  event. ) 

Died. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  William  S.  Heath,  killed  inaction  June  27,  1862. 

Captains:  Frank  L.  Lemont,  killed  in  battle  of  Spotsylvania,  May  12, 
1864;  Daniel  C.  Clark,  May  16,  1864,  from  wounds  received  in  action,  — pre- 
viously served  in  First  Maine  regiment;  Joseph  C.  Paradis,  commissioned 
June  8,  not  mustered  to  this  grade,  died  June  18,  1864,  of  wounds  received 
in  action  at  Cold  Harbor. 

First  Lieutenants:  Ambrose  S.  Dyer,  Sept.  22,  1861,  at  Yarmouth, 
Me;  Smith  G.  Bailey,  May  30,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Salem 
Church;  Andrew  S.  Lyon,  in  action  May  10,  1864,  at  Spotsylvania,  reported 
missing;  Orrin  B.  Stevens,  May  15,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action 
May  10,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Cyrus  W.  Brann,  killed  in  action  at  Salem 
Heights,  Va.,  May  3,  1863;  John  S.  French,  killed  Nov.  7,  1863,  at  battle  of 
Rappahannock  Station. 


394 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Promoted  and  Transferred  Out  of  Regiment. 

Promoted:  Colonel  Nathaniel  J.  Jackson,  Sept.  24,  1862,  to  Brigadier- 
General  of  Vols  , — brevet  Major-General  of  Vols.,  Mar.  13, 1865;  First  Lieut. 
Richard  C.  Shannon,  Oct.  23,  1S62,  to  Captain  and  A.  A.  G.  U.  S.  Vols.; 
First  Lieut.  Stephen  H.  Manning,  Nov.  26,  1862,  to  Captain  and  A.  Q.  M., — 
brevet  Brig. -General  U.  S.  Vols.;  Second  Lieut.  Frederick  Speed,  Nov.  28, 
1861,  to  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  Thirteenth  Maine  Vols.;  Second 
Lieut.  Henry  YV.  Stinson,  Apr.  30,  1863,  to  Captain  and  A.  D.  C.  U.  S.  Vols. 

Transferred:  Captain  John  C.  Goldthwait,  June  23,  1864,  to  Seventh 
Maine  regiment,  afterwards  to  First  Maine  Vet.  Inf.,  died  of  wounds  Apr. 
18,  1865;  First  Lieut.  George  E.  Atwood,  Oct.  7,  1862,  to  Twenty-fourth 
Maine  regiment;  First  Lieut.  P.  Jordan  Mitchell,  June  23,  1864,  to  Seventh 
Maine  regiment,  afterwards  to  First  Maine  Vet.  Inf., — promoted  to  Captain 
not  mustered,  died  of  wounds  Nov.  12,  1864;  Second  Lieut.  John  McLellan, 
June  23,  1864,  to  Seventh  Maine  regiment,  afterwards  to  First  Maine  Vet. 
Inf.,  — promoted  to  Captain,  discharged  July  5,  1865;  Second  Lieut.  J.  Augus- 
tine Grenier,  June  23,  1864,  to  Seventh  Maine  regiment,  afterwards  to  First 
Maine  Vet.  Inf.,  — promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant;  Walter  Foss, 
Sergeant,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  and  First  Lieutenant,  transferred 
to  First  Maine  Vet.,  not  mustered,  wounded,  discharged  for  disability. 

Discharged. 

Captains:  Josiah  Heald,  Aug.  9,  1861;  William  A.  Tobie,  Sept.  20, 
1861;  Lewis  B.  Goodwin,  Sept.  20,  1861;  Burbank  Spiller,  March  23,  1863; 
John  B.  Walker,  June  17,  1863;  Samuel  H.  Pillsbury,  Aug.  12,  1863;  Albert 
L.  Dearing,  Sept.  8,  1863.  First  Lieutenants:  Adjutant  Charles  S.  Whit- 
man, Nov.  21,  1861;  William  Merrill,  Dec.  10,  1861;  Josiah  R.  Brady,  Feb. 
14,  1862;  Abel  C.  T.  Stevens,  May  7,  1862;  George  B.  Kenniston,  May  25, 
1863;  John  A.  A.  Packard,  Nov.  25,  1863.  pro.  from  Second  Lieut.,  not  mus- 
tered as  First. 

Assistant  Surgeon:  William  S.  Noyes,  Mar.  31,  1863.  Acting  Sur- 
geon, George  E.  Brickett,  not  must’d,  as  no  vacancy;  relieved  Aug.,  1862. 

Resigned. 

Colonels:  Mark  H.  Dunnell,  Sept.  2;  1861;  Edward  A.  Scamman, 
Jan.  8,  1S63.  Lieutenant-Colonel:  Edward  Illsley,  Sept.  24,  1861. 
Major:  Samuel  C.  Hamilton,  Sept.  25,  1861.  Captains:  Isaac  B.  Noyes, 
Aug.  1,  1861;  Henry  G.  Thomas,  Aug.  9,  1861,  — Captain  nth  U.  S.  Inf’try, 
Colonel  19th  U.  S.  C.  T.,  Brig. -General  Vols.,  brevet  Major-General  Vols., 
Mar.  13,  1865;  E.  W.  Sawyer,  Aug.  16,  1861;  Edward  W.  Thompson,  Sept. 
8,  1861;  Thomas  J.  Sawyer,  Dec.  3,  1861;  David  S.  Barrows,  Jan.  23,  1862; 
George  W.  Patch,  June  17,  1862;  George  E.  Brown,  Oct.  19,  1862;  George 
P.  Sherwood,  Jan.  19,  1863;  Hamlin  T.  Bucknam,  Sept.  29,  1863.  First 
Lieutenants:  Fred  S.  Gurney,  Aug.  15,  1861;  John  S.  Merrill,  Quarter- 
master, Sept.  2,  1861;  George  W.  Martin,  Oct.  13,  1861;  Charles  K.  Packard, 
June  13,  1862;  George  W.  Graffam,  Adjutant,  Oct.  18,  1863;  Geo.  W.  Bick- 
nell,  Adjutant,  Mar.  8,  1864.  Second  Lieutenants:  Samuel  Munson,  Aug. 
25,  1861;  Robert  J.  McPherson,  Dec.  n,  1861;  William  H.  Shaw,  Jan.  13, 
1S62;  Cyrus  M.  Wormell,  Feb.  22,  1862;  Simeon  W.  Sanborn,  Oct.  16,  1862. 
Surgeon:  Benjamin  F.  Buxton,  Jan.  9,  1863. 

Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  A.  Waterhouse,  dis.  Mar.  xi,  1864. 


SIXTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 


395 


MONUMENT. 

The  monument  of  the  Sixth  Maine  Regiment  is  located  to  the  east  of 
Big  Round  Top  on  the  north  side  of  a narrow  road  which,  coming  down 
from  the  slope  of  Big  Round  Top,  crosses  the  Taneytown  road,  and  stands 
about  two  hundred  yards  east  of  the  latter  road.  It  is  a tall  shaft  of  alternate 
red  and  white  Hallowell  granite,  surmounted  by  an  intertwined  double  red 
cross  of  the  Sixth  corps. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  5 feet  2 inches  by  5 feet  2 inches  by  2 feet  9 
inches;  plinth,  3 feet  S inches  by  3 feet  8 inches  by  3 feet  7 inches;  shaft,  2 
feet  9 inches  by  2 feet  9 inches  by  13  feet  2 inches;  cap,  2 feet  by  2 feet  by 
2 feet.  Total  height,  twenty-one  feet  six  inches. 

It  bears  these  inscriptions: — 


+ 

6th  Maine 
Infantry, 
3d  Brigade, 
1st  Diy. 
6th  Corps, 


Held  this  Position 
July  3,  1863. 

IN  AFTERNOON  MOVED 


TO  SUPPORT  OF  CENTRE, 
THEN  TO  BIG  ROUND  TOP. 


SIXTH  MAINE  EEGIMENT, 

THIRD  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION,  SIXTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 

IN  Russell’s  brigade,- of  the  same  division  to  which  the  Fifth 
Maine  was  attached,  was  the  Sixth  Maine,  which  had  recently- 
been  one  of  the  regiments  of  Burnham’s  famous  Light  Divis- 
ion. Like  the  Fifth  it  was  a veteran  regiment,  and  one  of  the 
most  famous  that  carried  the  flag  of  Maine.  Officers  and  men, 
the  regiment  numbered  at  Gettysburg  about  three  hundred  and 
fifty,  its  ranks  still  showing  the  losses  at  Fredericksburg,  where 
it  had  greatly  distinguished  itself  in  the  bloody  charge  on  Marye’s 
Heights.  Col.  Hiram  Burnham,  afterwards  promoted  for  con- 
spicuous services,  was  in  command.  Moving  in  the  same  divis- 
ion with  the  Fifth  Maine,  the  Sixth  suffered  all  the  hardships 
of  the  forced  march  from  Manchester  to  Gettysburg.  Arriving 
at  Gettysburg,  Russell’s  brigade  was  held  in  reserve  in  the  rear 
of  the  line  formed  by  the  Third  division  and  by  Bartlett’s  brig- 
ade. With  ominous  meaning  the  wild  sounds  of  battle  smote 
on  their  ears,  and  the  flashings  of  the  artillery  discharges  on 
the  smoke  of  the  evening  conflict,  like  lightning  in  the  storm 
cloud,  aroused  their  fagged-out  spirits  like  a command  to  charge  ; 
but  the  Sixth  were  not  called  to  enter  the  arena  of  strife. 

This  position  in  reserve  was  held  during  the  night  of  July 
2d,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  the  Sixth  Maine  with  the  brig- 
ade were  moved  to  the  left,  to  a position  on  the  Taney  town  road 
just  east  of  Big  Round  Top.  There  they  formed  part  of  a force 
intended  to  frustrate  any  attempt  of  the  Confederates  to  get  into 
the  rear  of  the  Union  army.  In  this  position,  where  the  regi- 
ment remained  nearly  all  daj^  July  3d,  the  monument  has  been 
placed.  The  Confederates  did  not  make  the  anticipated  attack 
and  there  was  no  fighting. 

On  July  4th  Russell’s  brigade  being  placed  on  the  left  of 
the  Fifth  corps  line,  the  Sixth  Maine  found  itself  in  line  in  the 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  ENGAGED. 


397 


hollow  between  the  Round  Tops.  The  only  recorded  casualty 
in  the  regiment,  at  Gettysburg,  is  that  of  Phineas  F.  Bean, 
Private  company  I,  wounded  July  4th.  On  July  5th  the  regi- 
ment moved  in  pursuit  of  Lee. 

The  following  letter,  written  by  Adjutant  Clark  of  this 
famous  regiment,  and  dated  at  Cedar  Rapids,  la.,  October  25, 
1891,  and  addressed  to  Gen.  B.  F.  Harris,  formerly  the  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, is  subjoined,  as  it  contains  extracts  from  a diary 
which  the  Adjutant  kept : — 


My  Dear  Friend : — 

I received  your  line  this  morning  and  return  the  enclosed 
memoranda  of  the  Sixth  Maine  at  Gettysburg.  I have  exam- 
ined my  pocket-diary  written  at  the  time  on  the  field,  as  we  lay 
there,  and  this  memoranda  corresponds  with  the  diary  as  to  our 
location.  I wrote  on  July  2d,  "Arrived  on  battlefield  of  Get- 
tysburg at  4 p.  m.  Since  that  time  a most  terrific  battle  has 
been  going  on  just  in  front  of  us,  we  being  held  in  reserve. 
The  rebels  attacked  our  left  and  centre  with  great  fury  and 
overwhelming  numbers,  and  for  a while  they  were  successful 
and  our  lines  were  pressed  back,  but  they  were  finally  repulsed 
with  great  slaughter.  Everything  promises  victory  to-morrow. 
We  are  in  position  on  the  left  of  our  lines.”  The  fight  in  our 
front  was  evidently  the  attack  on  Sickles  at  the  Peach  Orchard 
and  Emmitsburg  road,  and  the  final  repulse  of  the  rebels  was 
at  Little  Round  Top. 

On  the  3d  of  July  I wrote  of  our  position  : "Our  brigade 
was  not  engaged  with  infantry,  being  posted  on  the  extreme 
left,  where  the  enemy  did  not  attack  us.”  This  was  evidently 
on  the  Taneytown  road,  as  that  was  the  left  of  our  lines. 

My  diary  does  not  show  our  position  on  the  4th,  but  speaks 
of  our  men  gathering  up  the  wounded  and  burying  the  dead, 
and  my  recollection  is  that  it  was  between  the  Round  Tops. 
That  is  the  day  you  and  I rode  out  to  the  Peach  Orchard  and 
drew  the  fire  of  the  rebel  picket  line.  Do  you  remember  what 
a magnificent  retreat  we  made  ? 

On  the  5th  of  J uly  my  diary  shows  that  we  were  ordered  out 
early  for  a reconnaissance  of  our  front,  from  which  we  were 
recalled  and  sent  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  "Just  at  dark  ” (so 


398 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  diary  reads)  " we  came  upon  the  enemy’s  rear  at  a pass  in 
the  mountains  near  Fairfield.  The  day  was  so  far  spent  that  we 
had  not  time  to  attack  them,  else  we  might  have  whipped  Early 
handsomely,  — for  it  was  his  division  we  came  upon.  We 
shelled  him  severely,  and  our  skirmishers  had  quite  a hot  brush 
with  his  outposts.”  I have  no  recollection,  however,  that  our 
own  regiment  was  engaged.  On  the  morning  of  the  6th  he  was 
gone.  We  stayed  about  Fairfield  the  6th.  Marched  that  night 
from  9 o’clock  to  3 a.  m.  to  and  beyond  Emmitsburg.  On  the 
7th  marched  at  9 a.  m.  ; went  to  and  through  Lewistown,  and 
that  night  marched  up  the  mountains  in  the  rain  and  camped 
on  the  top  at  2 a.  m.  in  a potato  field,  where  Colonel  Burnham 
gave  the  order,  " stick  arms.”  Faithfully  yours, 

Charles  A.  Clark. 


PARTICIPANTS. 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Hiram  Burnham,  Cherryfield. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Benjamin  F.  Harris,  Machias. 

Major,  George  Fuller,  Corinth. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Charles  A.  Clark,  Sangerville. 

Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  Addison  P.  Buck,  Foxcroft. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  William  Buck,  Harmony. 

Chaplain,  Moses  J.  Kelley,  Montville. 

Sergeant-Major,  William  H.  West,  Machias. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  William  H.  H.  Bates,  Eastport. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  George  H.  Snowman,  Bucksport. 

Hospital  Steward,  George  T.  Holmes,  Foxcroft. 

Fife-major,  James  L.  Holmes,  Foxcroft. 

Company  A. 

(Including  i present  sick.) 

Captain,  Alexander  B.  Sumner,  Lubec. 

First  Lieutenant,  Lyman  H.  Wilkins,  Brownville. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Horace  S.  Hobbs,  Milo. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergt.,  Ira  P.  Wing,  Brownville,  John  J.  Fogg,  Bangor. 

CORPORALS. 

William  H.  Blood,  Sebec,  John  B.  Bates,  Jr.,  Dover, 

Edward  P.  Prescott,  Williamsburg,  Loumus  Berry,  Brownville. 

PRIVATES. 

Ames,  Francis  M.,  Dover,  Atwood,  Charles  E.,  Kenduskeag, 

Bagley,  Levi,  Milo,  Berry,  Charles  H.,  Brownville, 

Blanchard,  Newton,  Foxcroft,  Brawn,  William  H.,  Lubec, 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


399 


Chase,  Rufus  G.,  Foxcroft, 
Davis,  Ozro  W.,  Bangor, 

Edes,  Charles  E.,  Foxcroft, 
Gould,  Isaiah  S.,  Brovvnville, 
Harris,  Benjamin,  Brovvnville, 
Kimball,  Alfred,  Harmony, 
Morong,  Frederick  W.,  Lubec, 
Neagle,  James  B.,  Lubec, 

Pratt,  Fernando  G.,  Foxcroft, 
Stowell,  Joseph  N.,  Brovvnville, 
White,  Henry  K.,  Sangerville. 


Crockett,  Seth  B.,  Guilford, 
Dawes,  George  W.,  Foxcroft, 
Farrington,  Henry  H.,  Foxcroft, 
Greenleaf,  William  A.,  Abbot, 
Holden,  George  F.,  Bangor, 
Lurchin,  Hillman  P.,  Lubec, 
Morrill,  Shepard,  Brovvnville, 
Plummer,  P'red  E.,  Foxcroft, 
Sewall,  William  G.,  Foxcroft, 
Titcomb,  Frank  W.,  Corinna, 


On  SpecialDuty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Albert  L.  Bragg, 
Dover,  and  Andrew  J.  Robinson,  Dover,  at  brig,  h’dqrs;  John  E.  Larrabee, 
Parkman,  q’rm’r  dept.  div.  h’dqrs;  Clarence  W.  P.  Osgood,  Dover,  in  3d 
N.  Y.  batteryc 

Company  B. 

(Including  2 present  sick.) 

Captain,  Levi  L.  L.  Bassford,  Calais. 

First  Lieutenant,  Albert  M.  Murch,  Ellsworth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  C.  Honey,  Amherst. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Charles  M.  Flint,  Calais, 

George  E.  Thomas,  Ellsworth,  Albert  L.  Jones,  Holden, 

George  W.  Bowden,  Ellsworth,  Cyrus  L.  Murch,  Ellsworth. 

CORPORALS. 

Jophanus  M.  Withee,  Hancock,  George  F.  Peaks,  Dedham, 

Jonathan  K.  Phillips,  Dedham,  Oliver  H.  Goodwin,  Ellsworth, 

Lorenzo  D.  Cousins,  Ellsworth. 


Bennett,  John  W.,  Ellsworth, 

Buker,  Cyrus,  Jr.,  Ellsworth, 

Chase,  Asa  D.,  Calais, 

Eldridge,  Martin  V.,  Newburg, 

Fields,  Alexander  E.,  Ellsworth, 

George,  Herman  S.,  Holden, 

Hamilton,  William,  Ellsworth, 

Jewell,  Joseph  R.,  Ellsworth, 

Kitching,  Robinson,  Fred’ick’n 
McKeen,  James  H.,  Ellsworth, 

Moor,  Isaac  F.,  Mariaville, 

Peaks,  Henry,  Dedham, 

Royal,  Benjamin  B.,  Ellsworth, 

Sweeney,  William  H.,  Ellsworth, 
Thistlevvood,  Robert  K.,  Alexander. 

Wagoner:  David  Clark,  Ellsworth. 


PRIVATES. 

Billington,  Charles  L.,  Dedham, 
Carrigan,  Thomas,  Milford, 

Chick,  Thomas  W.,  Clifton, 
Farrell,  Albert  F.  H.,  Trenton, 
Foster,  Bartlett,  Cherry  field, 
Green,  Allen  V.,  Blissville,  N.  B., 
Hines,  Jesse,  Ellsworth, 

Joy,  Joseph  A.,  Ellsworth, 

N.  B.,  McGary,  Noah  S.,  Calais, 

Maddox,  Edwin  P.,  Hancock, 
Murphy,  Samuel,  Calais, 

Potter,  Allen  A.,  Ellsworth, 
Scribner,  Benjamin  F. , Bangor, 
Sumner,  Elliot  L.,  Amherst, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Sylvanus  S. 
Boynton,  Ellsworth,  William  George,  Ellsworth,  William  D.  Thompson, 
Ellsworth,  and  David  A.  West,  Ellsworth,  3d  N.  Y.  battery;  Apollos  Hunt, 
Ellsworth,  and  Roscoe  G.  Taylor,  Amherst,  amb.  train;  Melvin  S.  Jellison, 


400 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Clifton,  and  Theodore  ].  Lyman,  Ellsworth,  inv.  det’ment;  Bartlett  Lynch, 
Ellsworth,  wagon  train;  Augustus  J.  Trueworthy,  Dedham,  hosp.  dept. 


Company  C. 

First  Lieutenant,  Frederick  A.  Hill,  Machias,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  John  L.  Pierce,  Machias. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Bayles  A.  Campbell,  Pembroke, 

Albion  H.  Campbell,  Bowdoin,  Benjamin  R.  J.  Thaxter,  Machias, 

Theodore  Hill,  Jr.,  Machias. 

CORPORALS. 

William  H.  Schoppee,  Machias,  Samuel  O.  Bryant,  Machias, 
William  R.  Blackman,  East  Machias,  James  S.  Libby,  Cape  Elizabeth, 
William  K.  Stiles,  Columbia. 


PRIVATES. 


Allen,  George  H.,  Machias, 
Bradbury,  James  T.,  Machias, 
Chandler,  Hersey  B.,  Jonesport, 
Crane,  James  E.,  Machias, 

Deary,  James,  Machias, 

Foss,  George  E.,  Machias, 

George,  John,  Machias, 

Hitchings,  Ellis  L.,  Cooper, 

May,  Thomas,  Boston,  Mass., 
McGrill,  Thomas,  Machias, 

Perry,  John,  Machias, 

Tower,  William  H.,  Sackville,  N. 
Whitman,  Stillman  H.,  Baring, 

Musician:  Henry  H.  Bowles, 


Balch,  Horatio  G.,  Lubec, 

Calkins,  Frank  A.,  Trescott, 
Conniff,  Thomas,  Machias, 

Dagnin,  Patrick,  Trescott, 

Falkner,  John  R.,  Machias, 

Foss,  James  A.,  Machias, 
Hennessy,  Jeremiah,  Whitney ville, 
Lamson,  William  H.,  Baring, 
McCann,  Alexander,  Baring, 

O’ Regan,  Michael,  Portland, 

St.  Germaine,  Joseph,  Marshfield, 

.,  Triffet,  George  W.,  Wesley, 
Wilder,  Caleb  B.,  Machias. 

Columbia  Falls. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Captain  Charles  F.  Stone, 
Machias,  signal  service.  Corporals  William  Allen,  Machias,  and  Charles  W. 
Perkins,  Wesley,  invalid  det’ment.  Privates:  James  Black,  Whiting,  brig, 
h’dqrs;  Gilbert  L.  Edgecomb,  Topsham,  and  David  Millay,  East  Machias, 
q’rm’r  dept.  brig,  h’dqrs;  Harrison  N.  Elliott,  Machias,  div.  h’dqrs;  William 
H Getchell,  Marshfield,  3d  N.  Y.  battery;  Silas  Smith,  Machias,  q’rm’r  dept. 


Company  D. 

( Including  4 present  sick. ) 

Captain,  Reuel  W.  Furlong,  Calais. 

First  Lieutenant,  Henry  H.  Waite,  Calais. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Edward  Williams,  Calais. 

sergeants. 

istSergt. George  P.  Blanchard,  Calais,  Warren  Fraser,  Calais, 

Frank  A.  Barnard,  Calais,  James  A.  Chamberlain,  Calais. 

corporals. 

Sumner  Anderson,  Robbinston,  Hosea  Q.  Morton,  Lee, 


John  Chamberlain,  Calais, 

Allen,  William,  Calais, 
Clayborne,  Richard,  Calais, 
Coy,  William  W.,  Calais, 


William  W.  Weeks,  Calais. 
privates. 

Bacon,  James  M.,  Calais, 

Condon,  Michael,  St.  Stephen,  N.  B., 
Doyle,  Joseph,  Calais, 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


401 


Doyle,  William,  Calais, 

Foss,  Charles  H.,  Calais, 
Glover,  John,  Bangor, 
Hunter,  Albert,  Princeton, 
McEver,  Hugh,  Calais, 
Moore,  James,  Calais, 

Roach,  Alexander,  Calais, 
Scott,  Charles  A.,  Machias, 
Smith,  Alonzo,  Calais, 
Swarbrick,  Henry,  Calais, 
Yates,  John,  Bangor. 

Musician:  John  Nichols, 


Fogg,  Hugh  M.,  Calais, 

Glidden,  Amaziah,  Calais, 
Hanson,  Alexander,  Calais, 
Mahoney,  Thomas,  Calais, 
McLellan,  George  W. , Bailey ville, 
Pardue,  James,  Calais, 

Ross,  Thomas,  New  York  City, 
Scullen,  Thomas,  Calais, 

Stables,  John,  Calais, 

Tibbetts,  Thomas,  Calais, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  William  Coyle, 
Jr.,  Machias,  teamster;  James  McCurdy,  Princeton,  and  Thomas  Mackey, 
Halifax,  N.  S.,  3d  N.  Y.  battery;  Elias  Smith,  St.  Stephen,  N.  B.,  amb. 
corps;  Horace  C.  Wilson,  Calais,  Stewart’s  battery. 

Company  E. 

(Including  2 present  sick.) 

First  Lieutenant,  James  B.  McKinley,  Bucksport,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Fred  B.  Ginn,  Orland. 

SERGEANTS. 


First  Sergeant,  Henry  Tapley, 
Waldo  S.  Richards,  Prospect, 
Charles  P.  Dorr,  Bucksport, 

James  Stubbs,  Jr.,  Bucksport, 
Samuel  J.  Clark,  Jr.,  Veazie, 

Archibald,  James,  Calais, 
Blaisdell,  Austin  D.,  Orland, 
Carroll,  John,  Bucksport, 

Clay,  George  W.,  Bluehill, 
Doak,  Charles  H.,  Bucksport, 
Foss,  Nathaniel,  St.  Albans, 
Harriman,  Charles  M.,  Orland, 
Hunnewell,  Calvin,  Alexander 
King,  Joseph,  Calais, 

Leavitt,  John,  Calais, 
McDonald,  Archibald,  Calais, 
Morton,  Robert  A.,  Pittston, 
Ripley,  Thomas,  Waite, 
Trundy,  Austin  H.,  Dover, 
Webb,  John,  Bucksport. 


Bucksport, 

Moses  S.  Wardwell,  Orland, 
Greenleaf  A.  Goodale,  Bucksport. 
CORPORALS. 

Alfred  Treat,  Bucksport, 

Stephen  B.  Wescott,  Bluehill. 

PRIVATES. 

Arnold,  Byron  P.,  Orland, 
Brennan,  Michael,  Bangor, 

Carter,  Albina  H.,  Bluehill, 
Colson,  Edward  L.,  Bucksport, 
Dudley,  Francis  J.,  Bangor, 

Foss,  Thomas  B.,  St.  Albans, 
Heywood,  Sewall  L.,  Bucksport, 
Keefe,  John,  Ireland, 

Lampher,  Edward  D.,  Bucksport, 
Lurvey,  Francis  G.,  Tremont, 
McGlaughlin,  Ira,  Calais, 
Richardson,  William  A.,  Orland, 
Smart,  Charles,  Bucksport, 

Verrill,  Moses  S.,  Bucksport, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  John  Kennedy, 
Bucksport,  and  Greenleaf  G.  Webster,  Bucksport,  nurses  in  regtl.  hosp. 
John  M.  Rice,  Hampden,  adjt.  clerk;  Lewis  P.  Abbott,  Bucksport,  art’y  brig. 
Charles  L.  Davis,  Bucksport,  Albert  N.  Eaton,  Oldtown,  Jerome  Hyde,  Cor- 
inth, and  Arthur  I.  Saunders,  Orland,  detached  as  teamsters;  John  Karnes, 
Houlton,  saddler  art’y  brigade. 


402 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  F. 

Captain,  Theodore  Lincoln,  Jr.,  Dennysville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Simon  Pottle,  2d,  Perry. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Isaac  C.  Campbell,  Pembroke. 

SERGEANTS. 

William  Shehan,  Dennysville,  James  R.  Hayward,  Dennysville, 

Josiah  Sears,  Pembroke,  Thomas  Matheson,  Dennysville. 

CORPORALS. 

Reuben  N.  Maker,  Cutler,  Joseph  Gilmore,  Pembroke, 

Charles  C.  Leighton,  Pembroke,  Michael  Donnelly,  Pembroke, 
Josiah  C.  Fish,  Perry. 


Averill,  Stephen  W.,  Cooper, 
Benner,  Amos  C.,  Edmunds, 
Blanchard,  William  M.,  Charlotte, 
Cameron,  John  H.,  Pembroke, 
Collins,  Patrick  H.,  Calais, 
Finney,  IraJ.,  Pembroke, 

Gilman,  Warren,  Meddybemps, 
Hersey,  Azor  H.,  Pembroke, 
Lawton,  John  A.,  Dennysville, 
McCarty,  William,  Perry, 
Morrison,  Reuben  H.,  Pembroke, 
Owens,  Geo.  H.,  Pembroke, 

Rice,  Lyman  F.,  Hampden, 
Sawtelle,  Albert,  Cutler, 

Vickery,  William  H.,  Crawford, 
Welch,  Thomas,  Pembroke, 


PRIVATES. 

Babcock,  Charles  C.,  Pembroke, 
Benner,  Washington,  Dennysville, 
Bridges,  Almon  H.,  Charlotte, 
Campbell,  Adna  H.  R.,  Pembroke, 
Dudley,  Freeman  F.,  Dennysville, 
Gardner,  Willard  E.,  Meddybemps, 
Henry,  William  O.,  Eastport, 
Larrey,  James,  Lubec, 

Lincoln,  Otis,  Jr.,  Perry, 

Merry,  James  E.,  Robbinston, 
Nutter,  George  F.,  Crawford, 
Redman,  John,  Meddybemps, 

Robb,  Hugh,  Jr.,  Cooper, 

Sweeney,  John,  Portland, 

Ward,  Amos,  Pembroke, 

White,  Thomas,  Pembroke, 


Wood,  Matthew,  Meddybemps. 

Musician:  Robert  B.  Teed,  Pembroke. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Isaac  Gardner, 
Dennysville,  amb.  corps;  James  F.  Mitchell,  Boston,  Mass.,  3d  N.  Y.  batt’y; 
Bela  R.  Reynolds,  Dennysville,  signal  corps;  John  W.  Reynolds,  Pembroke, 
and  John  Stoddard,  Pembroke,  art’y  brig. 

Company  G. 

(Including  1 present  sick.) 

Captain,  George  W.  Burnham,  Cherryfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  Lindroff  W.  Smith,  Steuben. 

sergeants. 

istSergt.,  George  A.  Dyer,  Franklin,  John  McGregor,  Eastport, 


William  Shaw,  Cherryfield, 

Fonze  G.  Leighton,  Columbia, 
George  H.  Peva,  Cherryfield, 
Hillman  L.  Tibbetts,  Addison, 
Joseph  Robinette,  Portland. 

Andrews,  Malcolm,  Harrington, 
Bean,  John,  Robbinston, 
Boyden,  Samuel,  Robbinston, 


Horace  G.  Jacobs,  Cherryfield. 
CORPORALS. 

Charles  Frye,  Machiasport, 
Samuel  C.  Chase,  Cherryfield, 
Nelson  C.  Wallace,  Milbridge, 

PRIVATES. 

Andrews,  Samuel,  Cutler, 
Bennett,  Henry,  Harrington, 
Conners,  Horatio  B.,  Cherryfield, 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


403 


Davis,  William  F.,  Steuben, 
Dixon,  Robert,  Cherryfield, 
Granger,  James,  Calais, 

Hunter,  Mitchell,  Cherryfield, 
Leighton,  William,  Steuben, 
Marshall,  William,  Eastport, 
Mills,  George  W.,  Kenduskeag, 
Pillsbury,  Thomas  L.,  Sebec, 
Small,  Joseph,  Steuben, 

Smith,  Ansel  E.,  Ellsworth, 
Taylor,  Charles  E.,  Robbinston, 
Whalen,  John  F.,  Portland, 
Willey,  Alonzo  C.,  Cherryfield, 
Wagoner:  Robert  Bailey,  I 


Dean,  Israel,  Robbinston, 

Fuller,  Alfred,  Brunswick, 

Griffin,  John,  Eastport, 

Laughlin,  Lawrence  O.,  Cherryfield, 
Maddan,  Rufus,  Cherryfield, 
McGregor,  Charles  W.,  Eastport, 
Mills,  Harry  F.,  Kenduskeag, 

Scott,  Charles,  Calais, 

Small,  Thomas  J.,  Cherryfield, 
Stewart,  John  E.,  Columbia, 

Walton,  George  F.,  Calais, 

Willett,  Louis  A. , Bradley, 

Wilson,  George  I.  G.,  Cherryfield. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Nahum  H. 
Davis,  Cherryfield,  and  Patrick  Flynn,  Boston,  Mass.,  3d  N.  Y.  batt’y;  Ste- 
phen S.  Leighton,  Columbia,  musician;  Charles  Lynch,  Cherry-field,  and 
Gilbert  McKinnon,  Portsmouth,  amb.  corps;  John  Taylor,  Robbinston, 
nurse  regtl.  hosp. 

Company  H. 

(Including  1 present  sick.) 

Captain,  Joseph  G.  Roberts,  Corinth. 

First  Lieutenant,  Solomon  J.  Morton,  Providence,  R.  I. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  William  H.  Coan,  Dexter, 

Israel  Hodsdon,  Corinth,  Otis  O.  Roberts,  Dexter, 

Elisha  Eddy,  Jr.,  Corinth,  Albert  T.  Severance,  Dexter. 

corporals. 

James  L.  Mitchell,  Sangerville,  Ferdinand  W.  Merrill,  Williamsburg, 

Hiram  F.  Safford,  Dexter,  John  W.  Pettengill,  Corinna, 

Henry  G.  Lane,  Bucksport. 


PRIVATES. 


Babkirk,  Wallace  D.,  Baring, 
Batchelder,  Alonzo,  Garland, 
Bean,  John  H.,  Dexter, 

Bulger,  Joseph,  Bangor, 

Cooley,  George  H.,  St.  Albans, 
Frost,  George  F.,  Crawford, 
Gilpatrick,  Thomas  W.,  Baring, 
Herrick,  William  H.,  Corinth, 
Lovell,  Asa  B.,  Abbot, 

McKusick,  Howard  M.,  Foxcroft, 
Moore,  William  H.,  Bangor, 
Osgood,  Wesley  A.,  Garland, 

Ouimby,  Jacob,  Jr., 

Senter,  William  H.  H.,  Bangor, 
Smith,  Edward,  Charleston, 
Stafford,  Frederick  C.,  St.  Albans, 
Vickery,  Charles  B.,  Bangor, 
Weaver,  Charles  S.,  Parkman, 


Banks,  Alexander,  Pembroke, 
Beale,  George  E.,  Hudson, 
Bradshaw,  Robert,  Calais, 
Chapman,  Orville  D.,  Sebec, 
Fitzgerald,  Charles,  Dexter, 

Fuller,  Oliver  J.,  Dexter, 
Hammond,  Joseph  S.,  Parkman, 
Lovejoy,  Jonas  P.,  Dexter, 
McKusick,  Charles  F.,  Parkman, 
Moore,  Alonzo  W.,  Bangor, 
O’Keefe,  Patrick,  Calais, 

Page,  Erasmus  E.,  Charleston, 
Roundy,  James  H.,  Bangor, 

Short,  Edward,  Bangor, 

Smith,  Upton  T.,  Bangor, 
Sutherland,  James  W.,  Bangor, 
Walsh,  Joseph,  Calais, 

Whittier,  Lendall  H.,  Kenduskeag. 


404 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MUSICIANS. 

Joseph  F.  Getchell,  Bangor,  Charles  F.  Tibbetts,  Charleston. 

Wagoner:  Ivory  Webber,  Bangor. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Charles  Chase, 
St.  Albans,  cook;  Charles  Dyer,  Dexter,  Gilman  W.  Frost,  St.  Albans,  and 
Charles  L.  Ray,  Augusta,  teamsters;  George  T.  Gould,  Dexter,  and  Alfred 
McDonald,  Charleston,  quarterm’r  dept.;  Harrison  T.  Norton,  Dexter, 
butcher  brig,  h’dqrs;  Sylvanus  B.  Steward,  Monson,  inv.  dept.;  Edward  J. 
Sturtevant,  Dexter,  amb.  corps;  William  H.  Tinker,  Trenton,  signal  corps; 
Andrew  R.  Wheaton,  Crawford,  3d  N.  Y.  batt’y. 


Company  I. 

(Including  3 present  sick.) 
Captain,  Lycurgus  Smith,  Freedom. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  M.  Norris,  Milford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  H.  Chamberlain,  Presque  Isle. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Calvin  T.  Livermore,  Sebec, 


Walter  B.  Jenness,  Hermon, 
James  S.  Knowlton,  Liberty, 

Alvin  B.  Hudson,  Bangor, 
James  M.  Murphy,  Calais, 
David  C.  Whitney,  Lincoln, 


Bean,  Phineas  F.,  Oldtown, 

Buzzell,  Justus  J.,  Oldtown, 

Estabrook,  Joseph  W.,  Bangor, 

Gardiner,  George,  Sebec, 

Goodwin,  Benjamin  F.,  Stetson, 

House,  George  W.,  Lee, 

Keen,  William  A.,  Chester, 

Lane,  James  A.,  Bangor, 

Lisherness,  Benjamin  C.,  Oldtown, 
Robbins,  Asa,  Baileyville, 

Sleeper,  Geo.  W.,  Haverhill,  Mass., 
Stanchfield,  Chauncy,  Milo, 

Tibbetts,  Andrew  J.,  Carmel, 

Webster,  William  M.,  Lincoln, 

Wiggin,  Asa  G.,  Stetson. 

Musician:  John  W.  Davis,  Portland. 


Isaac  Pratt,  Oldtown, 

Thomas  Templeton,  Milford. 
corporals 

Sylvester  F.  Lyon,  Lincoln, 
Franklin  J.  Elliott,  Sebec, 
Samuel  Emery,  Jr.,  Veazie. 

PRIVATES. 

Blackman,  Joseph  C.,  Oldtown, 
Clark,  Clement  M.,  Bangor, 

Eye,  James,  Calais, 

Glidden,  Andrew,  Barnard  PI., 
Hinkley,  Oscar  E.  W.,  Oldtown, 
Johnston,  Charles  W.,  Oldtown, 
Ladd,  Edmund,  Barnard  PI., 
Leddy,  John,  Jr.,  Calais, 

Reed,  Joseph  L.,  Cooper, 

Sibley,  William  T. , Oldtown, 
Spencer,  Green  C.,  Milford, 
Stinson,  Leander  C.,  Oldtown, 
Tibbetts,  Ira  B.,  Exeter, 

White,  William  J.,  Bangor, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Wagoner  William  H. 
Brown,  Milo,  det’d  wagoner.  Privates:  Alonzo  Cilley,  Bangor,  and  Edmund 
Leard,  Oldtown,  div.  h’dqrs;  Hezekiah  B.  Harris,  Oldtown,  and  Hezekiah 
F.  Harris,  Oldtown,  brig,  h’dqrs. 


Company  K. 

(Including  2 present  in  arrest.) 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  T.  Witherell,  Eastport,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Percival  Knowles,  Bangor. 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


405 


Thatcher  Vose,  Robbinston, 
John  Homer  Coy,  Calais, 

Joseph  Whelpley,  Eastport, 
Joseph  H.  Dermott,  Eastport, 
Frank  E.  Johnson,  Robbinston. 


SERGEANTS. 

George  M.  Corbett,  Eastport, 

John  A.  Gray,  Eastport, color-sergeant. 
CORPORALS. 

Levi  Flood,  Alexander, 

Thomas  Sharkey,  Eastport, 


PRIVATES. 


Bagley,  Daniel  W.,  East  Machias, 
Brooks,  Thomas,  Lubec, 

Black,  George  W.,  Jr.,  Cooper, 
Connell,  John,  Halifax,  N.  S., 
Daus,  Frederick,  Moncton,  N.  B., 
Drew,  Calef  N.,  Whitney ville, 
Dyer,  George  M.,  Brunswick, 
Hammond,  Charles,  Eastport, 
Hayman,  Madison  B.,  Robbinston, 
Lander,  James  C.,  Corinna, 

Logan,  David,  Calais, 

McGoren,  John,  Saco, 

Myer,  Henri,  Moncton,  N.  B., 
O’Brien,  William  G.,  Lubec, 
Potter,  Fergus,  Eastport, 

Seeley,  George  W.,  Edmunds, 
Smith,  Cyrus  N.,  Charlotte, 


Brisley,  Thomas  D.,  Cooper, 
Brown,  George,  Centerville, 
Chester,  Peter,  Robbinston, 
Cunningham,  Allan,  Edmunds, 
Denbo,  Henry  C.,  Lubec, 
Dugan,  Patrick,  Eastport, 
Foster,  Alonzo  F.,  Marion, 
Hannemann,  Emil,  Eastport, 
Jones,  Thomas,  Alexander, 
Lesure,  Ira,  Calais, 

McDonald,  Peter,  Pictou,  N.  S., 
Morrill,  George,  Calais, 

Nelson,  Charles,  Calais, 

Pike,  Jeremiah  K.,  Portland, 
Sadler,  Thomas  J.,  Alexander, 
Seeley,  Solomon  W.,  Edmunds, 


Warton,  William,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
MUSICIANS. 

Stephen  Canfield,  New  York  City,  Frederick  Tucker,  Eastport. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Daniel  Apt,  Jr., 
Eastport,  regtl.  quarterm’r  dept.;  Edmund  Davy,  Charlotte,  and  George 
McAllister,  Robbinston,  regtl.  hosp. ; Jacob  S.  Hinckley,  Eastport,  amb. 
corps;  Andrew  J.  Potter,  Eastport,  officer’s  servant;  Robert  R.  P.  Potter, 
Eastport,  butcher  brig,  h’dqrs;  William  Stinson,  Portland,  Mott’s  batt’y; 
George  F.  Simmons,  Calais,  div.  h'dqrs;  Stephen  A.  Winchell,  Calais,  with 
Lieut.  Mclntee,  art’y  brigade. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

COMPILED  BY  CHARLES  HAMLIN, 

FROM  OFFICIAL  REPORTS  AND  OTHER  DATA  FURNISHED  BY  SURVIVORS 
OF  THE  REGIMENT. 

This  regiment  was  composed  of  the  troops  largely  from  east- 
ern Maine,  and  was  organized  as  early  as  the  month  of  June, 
1861.  The  Brownville  Rifles  was  the  only  old  organized  and 
drilled  militia  company  that  joined  the  regiment.  This  became 
company  A.  The  other  companies  were  newly  formed.  It 
rendezvoused  at  Portland,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United 


406 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


States  service  July  15,  1861,  with  the  following  original 
organization : — 

FIELD,  STAFF,  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Abner  Knowles,  Bangor. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Hiram  Burnham,  Cherryfield. 

Major,  Frank  Pierce,  Bucksport. 

Adjutant,  John  D.  McFarland,  Ellsworth. 

Quartermaster,  Isaac  Strickland,  Bangor. 

Surgeon,  Eugene  F.  Sanger,  Bangor. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  John  Baker,  East  Machias. 

Chaplain,  Zenas  Thompson,  Portland. 

Sergeant-Major,  Percival  Knowles,  Bangor. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Thomas  W.  Porter,  Bangor. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  J.  W.  Snowman,  Bucksport. 

Hospital  Steward,  Charles  A.  McQuesten,  Bangor. 

Drum-major,  Z.  Buzzell,  Bucksport. 

Fife-major,  John  Washburn,  Foxcroft. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  Moses  W.  Brown,  Brownville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Chandler,  Foxcroft. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Addison  P.  Buck,  Foxcroft. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  Isaac  Frazier,  Ellsworth. 

First  Lieutenant,  Otis  W.  Kent,  Ellsworth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Albert  M.  Murch,  Ellsworth. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  Benjamin  F.  Harris,  Machias. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  H.  Ballinger,  Machias. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  F.  Stone,  Machias. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Joel  A.  Haycock,  Calais. 

First  Lieutenant,  Reuel  W.  Furlong,  Calais. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  H.  Waite,  Calais. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  Joseph  Snowman,  Bucksport. 

First  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  J.  Buck,  Bucksport. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Virgil  P.  Wardwell,  Bucksport. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  William  N.  Lysett,  Pembroke. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  M.  Lincoln,  Pembroke. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Simon  Pottle,  2d,  Perry. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Ralph  W.  Young,  Rockland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Frank  C.  Pierce,  Augusta. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Hiram  B.  Sproul,  Cherryfield. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  Cyrus  Brown,  Corinth. 

First  Lieutenant,  Joseph  G.  Roberts,  Corinth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  Fuller,  Corinth. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Albert  G.  Burton,  Oldtown. 

First  Lieutenant  Henry  Soper,  Oldtown. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  H.  Stanchfield,  Milo. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Theodore  Carey,  Eastport. 

First  Lieutenant,  Thomas  P.  Roach,  Eastport. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  Day,  Eastport. 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


407 


It  will  be  remembered  that  when  the  troops  were  called  from 
Maine  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  and  were  being 
organized  into  regiments,  they  were  allowed,  until  1862,  to 
elect  all  their  officers  themselves.  When  the  Sixth  regiment 
was  organized  it  was  permitted  to  elect  its  own  officers.  Their 
first  choice  for  Colonel  was  Major  Henry  Prince,  Paymaster 
U.  S.  A.,  but  he  declined,  feeling  that  he  would  be  obliged  to 
give  up  his  commission  in  the  regular  army.  The  next  choice 
was  Abner  Knowles,  Escp,  of  Bangor,  a distinguished  lawyer. 

The  regiment  left  Portland  July  17th  and  arrived  at  Washing- 
ton on  the  19th,  where  it  was  stationed  at  Chain  Bridge,  on  the 
Potomac,  and  where  it  was  engaged  in  building  "Battery  Ver- 
mont” and  a small  earthwork.  September  3d  the  regiment 
crossed  the  Potomac  into  Virginia  and  was  engaged  several 
weeks  in  fatigue  and  picket  duty,  and  in  building  roads  and 
bridges,  digging  pits  and  erecting  forts.  The  strength  and  skill 
of  these  trained  woodsmen  were  the  admiration  of  the  officers 
and  men  of  other  regiments.  Later  in  the  fall  the  regiment  was 
pushed  forward  to  Lewinsville,  occupying  Fort  Griffin  through 
the  fall  and  winter.  In  March  the  regiment  was  assigned  to 
Hancock’s  brigade  of  Smith’s  division,  and  joined  in  the  advance 
on  Manassas.  After  remaining  in  camp  several  days  at  Fairfax 
Court  House,  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Alexandria  and  joined 
the  movement  against  Richmond  by  way  of  the  peninsula.  It 
arrived  at  Fortress  Monroe  March  25th,  and  encamped  near 
Hampton. 

Peninsula  Campaign. — The  army  having  been  organized 
into  corps,  Smith’s  division  was  assigned  to  the  Fourth  corps, 
under  Gen.  E.  D.  Keyes.  April  4th  the  regiment  broke  camp 
and  joined  the  advance  of  the  army  towards  Yorktown,  where 
they  arrived  in  front  of  the  enemy’s  works  on  Warwick  Creek 
at  3 o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  went  into  camp.  In  December, 
1861,  Colonel  Knowles  having  resigned,  Lieut. -Col.  Burnham 
was  promoted  Colonel,  Captain  Chandler  to  Lieut. -Colonel,  and 
Captain  Harris  to  Major. 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  April  5,  1862,  the  Sixth 
regiment  left  their  camp  at  Warwick  Creek  and  proceeded  to 
reconnoitre  the  enemy’s  works  in  that  vicinity.  Four  prisoners 


408 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


were  captured,  when  the  rebels  commenced  shelling  the  skirmish 
line  of  the  Sixth,  during  which  several  men  were  wounded.  The 
regiment,  however,  held  their  position  until  the  reconnaissance 
was  completed  by  General  Hancock,  with  Lieutenant  Comstock 
of  General  McClellan’s  staff.  A second  reconnaissance  imme- 
diately followed,  in  the  direction  of  Lee’s  Mills,  and  was  attended 
with  similar  success.  Another  reconnaissance  on  the  7th  proved 
a creditable  affair  to  the  Sixth,  and  which  elicited  from  General 
McClellan  his  thanks. 

At  the  battle  of  Lee’s  Mills  on  the  16th  the  Sixth  supported 
our  artillery,  and  was  exposed  to  a heavy  lire.  On  the  24th 
another  successful  reconnaissance  was  performed  by  the  Sixth 
to  Warwick  Creek,  which  was  followed  by  another  on  the  28th 
to  the  same  place,  a brisk  skirmish  occurring  on  each  occasion. 

At  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  May  5th,  the  Sixth  supported 
Kennedy’s  battery  from  1 to  5 o’clock  p.  M.,  under  a heavy  fire 
from  the  enemy’s  artillery,  until  by  order  of  General  Hancock 
the  four  right  companies  of  the  regiment  were  placed  in  an 
earthwork  in  the  centre  of  our  lines,  while  the  other  companies 
were  formed  immediately  on  the  left.  Thus  disposed,  the  reg- 
iment received  the  hottest  of  the  enemy’s  lire,  but  not  a man 
wavered ; and  the  enemy  was  repulsed  with  great  slaughter  by 
the  lire  of  the  regiment. 

A charge  was  made  by  the  Union  forces  and  successfully 
executed.  Two  days  after  the  battle  General  McClellan  made 
a complimentary  address  to  the  Sixth  for  its  services  on  this 
occasion,  as  he  did  to  all  the  other  regiments  which  General 
Hancock  commanded. 

The  battle  at  Garnett’s  Farm  took  place  June  27,  1862. 
At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  of  that  day  the  Sixth  regiment, 
which  formed  a portion  of  the  First  brigade,  under  the  command 
of  General  Hancock,  was  ordered  to  the  front,  where  a working 
party  were  engaged  in  throwing  up  an  intrenchment.  On  their 
arrival  Colonel  Burnham  took  a position  a short  distance  in  the 
rear  of  the  earthwork,  on  the  right,  near  a piece  of  woods,  with 
orders  to  hold  it  at  all  hazards.  In  front  of  this  earthwork  was 
a large,  level  field,  at  the  upper  portion  of  which  were  planted 
the  enemy’s  batteries,  while  in  General  Hancock’s  rear,  at  a short 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


409 


distance,  was  a deep  ravine,  on  the  opposite  side  of  which  we 
had  a masked  battery  of  siege  guns.  About  9 o’clock  a.  m.  the 
enemy  appeared  in  force  on  the  left,  as  if  preparing  for  an 
attack.  Upon  this,  the  working  party  with  the  force  which 
supported  it  withdrew  across  the  ravine. 

At  10  o’clock  the  enemy  opened  with  his  artillery,  directing 
his  fire,  principally,  at  the  woods  where  lay  the  Sixth,  and  at 
our  own  battery,  which  had  been  unmasked,  and  which  after 
an  hour’s  rapid  firing  silenced  the  enemy’s  guns,  forcing  the 
rebels  to  retire  out  of  range.  During  this  duel  the  Sixth  had 
two  men  killed  and  one  wounded.  At  sunset  the  enemy  again 
opened  his  batteries,  but  as  before  he  was  shortly  compelled  to 
desist  firing  and  retired.  When  it  was  quite  dark  in  the  woods 
a few  shots  from  the  enemy,  instantly  followed  by  a volley 
along  our  whole  line,  brought  every  man  to  his  feet.  The 
attack,  though  sudden,  was  not  unexpected,  and  immediately 
the  enemy’s  fire  was  returned,  and  with  effect,  as  was  after- 
wards ascertained,  when  he  advanced  a short  distance  from  the 
woods,  and  after  nearly  an  hour’s  rapid  exchange  of  fire  silently 
withdrew.  This  was  a singular  combat  in  many  respects,  as 
no  enemy  could  be  seen,  and  his  presence  was  manifested  only 
by  the  flash  and  crack  of  his  guns,  and  by  the  whistling  of  his 
bullets  over  the  heads  of  our  men.  During  the  engagements 
the  Sixth  expended  over  fifty  rounds  of  ammunition  on  an 
average.  Many  muskets  were  rendered  useless  by  fouling  the 
bores,  in  consequence  of  which,  as  well  as  from  the  want  of 
ammunition,  they  with  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  were 
relieved  by  another  brigade,  and  Colonel  Burnham  was  ordered 
to  withdraw  quietly  with  his  regiment  and  return  to  camp 
where  he  arrived  at  a little  past  1 o’clock.  During  the  engage- 
ment the  casualties  were  one  man  killed  and  23  wounded  ; three 
of  the  latter  died  shortly  afterwards. 

Next  morning  at  4 o’clock  Colonel  Burnham  received  orders 
for  an  immediate  move.  Breakfast  was  hastily  eaten,  and  the 
work  of  getting  in  readiness  promptly  commenced.  It  was 
evident  that  a movement  towards  James  River  was  contem- 
plated. Colonel  Burnham  was  ordered  to  report  the  whole  of 
his  command  to  General  Smith  for  fatigue  duty,  when  the  men 


410 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


were  furnished  with  axes  and  ordered  to  cut  down  the  skirt  of 
the  forest  in  which  was  located  their  camp,  in  order  to  afford  a 
range  for  our  artillery  in  case  the  enemy  made  an  attack.  This 
being  accomplished,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  left  of  the 
felled  trees,  with  the  rest  of  the  First  brigade,  when,  as  the 
order  was  being  obeyed,  a rebel  battery  opened  a furious  tire, 
which  was,  however,  shortly  silenced  by  one  of  our  own  bat- 
teries. The  Sixth,  however,  succeeded  in  getting  into  position 
with  the  loss  of  one  man  who  was  seriously  wounded.  Another 
brief  engagement  shortly  followed,  ending  in  the  repulse  of  the 
rebels  with  great  slaughter,  and  no  further  fighting  took  place 
in  that  vicinity  that  day.  Meanwhile  the  Sixth  kept  their  orig- 
inal position,  while  the  greater  part  of  our  forces  made  their 
retreat.  During  the  night  they  were  bivouacked  in  line  of 
battle,  every  man  with  his  rifle  at  his  side,  ready  to  spring  to 
his  feet  and  give  battle  in  case  of  an  attack.  At  last  only  the 
division  remained  to  which  the  Sixth  belonged,  and  their  posi- 
tion was  evidently  a critical  one,  for,  notwithstanding  troops 
were  within  supporting  distance,  it  was  plain  that,  in  case  of 
an  attack,  they  would  bear  the  brunt  of  the  battle.  But  the 
enemy  did  not  choose  to  attack. 

On  the  following  Monday  (29th)  the  division  began  to  fall 
back,  leaving  a proper  force  of  cavalry  and  artillery  behind 
as  the  rear  guard  of  the  corps.  Falling  back  about  three  miles, 
they  came  to  a large  field  containing  a strong  force  of  our  troops 
and  an  immense  number  of  baggage  wagons.  Positions  were 
taken  in  line  of  battle,  while  a halt  of  about  three  hours  was 
made,  during  which  the  retreat  went  on.  Resuming  the  line 
of  march,  the  division  moved  along  leisurely  until  they  reached 
a field  a short  distance  from  Savage  Station.  There  another 
halt  was  made  ; the  division  was  deployed  in  line  of  battle  and 
stationed  in  the  edge  of  a piece  of  woods,  in  which  position 
they  remained  until  about  2 o’clock,  when,  keeping  up  the  line 
of  battle,  they  passed  through  the  woods  to  Savage  Station 
and  halted  a little  way  beyond.  On  resuming  the  march,  they 
proceeded  about  a mile,  when  a rattling  fire  of  musketry  in 
their  rear  showed  that  the  enemy  had  attacked  our  forces  at 
Savage  Station.  Forthwith  the  division  was  marched  rapidly 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


411 


to  the  scene  of  action,  and  when  they  arrived  the  battle  was 
raging  furiously.  The  Second  brigade  (General  Brooks’)  was 
hurled  into  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  while  the  remainder  of  the 
division  was  stationed  as  a support.  By  order  of  General  Han- 
cock, the  Sixth  was  marched  half  a mile  through  a piece  of 
woods  and  took  a position  on  the  right,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  outflanking.  The  position  was  an  honorable  as 
well  as  a dano-erous  one.  Colonel  Burnham  at  once  established 

O 

communication  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  and  awaited  an 
attack  on  his  right  flank,  which  he  doubted  not  would  be  made 
as  the  enemy  subsequently  threatened.  After  a sharp  and 
bloody  engagement  the  rebels  were  repulsed.  The  Sixth  did 
not  actively  engage  in  the  battle,  although  they  were  under  a 
heavy  fire  and  shared  many  of  its  perils. 

At  9 o’clock  the  division  was  again  put  in  motion,  leaving 
Heintzelman’s  forces  to  hold,  for  a time,  the  hard-earned  field. 
The  Sixth  was  placed  in  advance  ; and  as  it  was  anticipated  that 
the  rebel  cavalry  might  make  a dash  upon  the  road  and  attempt 
to  cut  them  off,  to  lead  the  advance  was  certainly  an  honorable 
position.  The  four  right  companies  of  the  Sixth  were  detached 
and  thrown  some  distance  ahead  as  an  advance  guard.  Two 
squads,  under  non-commissioned  officers,  were  thrown  still 
farther  ahead,  to  feel  the  wTay.  In  this  order  they  marched 
until  3 o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  when  they  crossed 
White  Oak  Bridge  and  took  position  on  the  heights  beyond. 
Here  a halt  was  ordered  by  General  Hancock,  and  the  men, 
totally  exhausted  by  the  severe  labors  of  the  past  twenty-four 
hours,  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  and  were  almost  instantly 
asleep.  At  10  o’clock  the  following  morning  White  Oak  Bridge 
was  blown  up,  and  our  troops  were  deployed  in  line  of  battle 
upon  the  heights,  where  they  could  meet  the  enemy  advanta- 
geously in  case  he  made  his  approach.  By  order  of  General 
Hancock,  Colonel  Burnham  posted  his  regiment  on  the  extreme 
right  of  the  line,  near  a creek,  where  it  was  thought  the  rebels 
would  attempt  to  cross  and  turn  our  flank.  He  threw  out 
pickets  and  let  his  men  rest  in  line  of  battle.  The  day  was 
exceedingly  hot  and  oppressive.  The  long  hours  passed  slowly 
away,  and  up  to  noon  there  was  nothing  which  indicated  the 


412 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


enemy’s  approach.  Suddenly,  without  the  slightest  premoni- 
tion, the  enemy  opened  a spirited  fire  with  twenty  pieces  of 
artillery  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek.  For  a while  the 
cannonading  was  terrific,  an  unceasing  shower  of  shell  raining 
upon  a portion  of  our  lines.  In  obedience  to  orders,  the  Sixth 
was  marched  from  the  right  to  the  centre  of  our  lines,  taking  a 
position  in  the  rear  of  the  batteries  within  supporting  distance. 
This  position  was  maintained  throughout  the  fight,  which  raged 
for  three  hours  with  great  fury,  and  during  which  the  Sixth 
had  two  men  seriously  wounded.  At  4 o’clock  the  enemy’s 
guns  were  silenced  and  he  withdrew. 

At  11  o’clock  the  division  was  again  put  in  motion,  the  Sixth 
still  keeping  the  advance.  Colonel  Burnham  was  instructed  by 
General  Hancock  to  use  the  utmost  vigilance,  as  it  was  confi- 
dently anticipated  that  the  enemy  would  make  an  attack  with  the 
intention  of  cutting  him  off.  He  therefore  detached  the  four 
left  companies  of  his  regiment,  and  put  them  under  the  com- 
mand of  Major  Harris.  The  night  was  spent  in  rapid  marching, 
and  the  fortitude  of  the  men,  worn  out  as  they  were  by  the 
severe  labors  of  the  preceding  three  days,  was  taxed  almost 
beyond  endurance.  It  was  exceedingly  warm,  and  the  men 
suffered  terribly  from  a scarcity  of  water ; but  with  ranks  well 
closed  the  brave  fellows  kept  pushing  steadily  on.  Twice 
during  the  night  General  Hancock  sent  orders  for  the  advance 
guard  to  move  with  the  utmost  watchfulness  and  care,  and  be  at 
all  times  prepared  for  the  attack  which  was  apprehended. 

At  length,  on  the  morning  of  July  1st,  at  a few  minutes 
past  4 o’clock,  they  emerged  from  the  swamps  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy,  in  sight  of  the  James  River,  at  Turkey  Bend.  Here 
they  remained  until  11  o’clock,  when  the  brigade  was  put  in 
motion,  while  they  were  stationed  to  guard  a road  where  it  was 
thought  the  rebel  cavalry  might  make  its  appearance.  In  this 
position  they  remained  until  3 o’clock  the  following  morning, 
when  Colonel  Burnham  was  ordered  to  move  with  the  rest  of 
the  division  down  the  river.  Through  a violent  rain-storm  they 
marched  until  2 o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  they  arrived  at 
Harrison’s  Landing  and  encamped  in  a large  wheat-field,  where 
they  remained  until  the  next  morning,  when  they  were  again 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


413 


put  in  motion  and  marched  about  three  miles  from  the  James 
River,  where  they  halted. 

The  Antietam  Campaign.  — On  September  11th  the  Sixth 
formed  the  advance  of  our  column,  and  in  a skirmish  with  the 
enemy  at  the  foot  of  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain  drove  him  back 
without  loss. 

At  the  battle  of  Crampton’s  Gap,  on  the  14th,  the  Sixth  par- 
ticipated, though  they  were  not  actively  engaged.  On  the  15th 
Colonel  Burnham  took  possession  of  a pass  in  South  Mountain 
after  a sharp  skirmish,  during  which  he  captured  four  prisoners. 
The  position  was  held  until  nightfall,  when  his  command  returned 
to  their  brigade. 

At  the  battle  of  Antietam,  on  the  17th,  the  Sixth  arrived  on 
the  field  at  10  o’clock  in  the  forenoon,  and  took  position  towards 
the  right  of  our  lines,  where  our  forces  had  just  fallen  back  after 
a most  desperate  charge.  The  enemy  opened  fire  on  them,  but 
he  was  driven  back. 

Fredericksburg.  — The  Sixth  participated  in  the  battle  at 
Fredericksburg.  On  the  morning  of  December  12th  they  crossed 
the  Rappahannock  at  the  lower  bridge.  At  10  o’clock  they 
moved  up  and  took  position  under  the  intrenched  batteries  of 
the  enemy,  who  shelled  them  severely  during  the  day.  The 
Sixth  was  in  the  centre  of  our  line  of  battle,  and  their  position 
was  an  exposed  one,  as  the  rebel  batteries  on  their  right  enfi- 
laded them  with  ease  and  accuracy.  This  position  was  main- 
tained three  days,  during  which  time  the  men  all  acquitted 
themselves  creditably.  On  January  3d  the  regiment  was 
encamped  near  Belle  Plaine,  Va. 

Mud  March.  — Early  on  the  morning  of  January  20,  1863, 
the  Sixth  left  camp  near  Belle  Plaine,  and  proceeded  to 
Banks’  Ford,  where  General  Burnside  intended  to  cross  the 
river  and  give  battle  to  the  enemy  ; but  the  mud  being  so  deep, 
on  account  of  a two  days’  rain,  the  movement  was  abandoned  and 
the  regiment  returned  to  its  former  camp,  arriving  on  the  23d. 

February  2d  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Potomac  Creek  and 
went  into  winter  quarters,  having  been  assigned  to  the  Light 
Division,  composed  of  five  regiments  and  a battery,  and  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Burnham  after  General  Pratt  had  resigned. 


414 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


In  March  Lieut.-Colonel  Chandler  resigned  ; Major  Harris 
was  promoted  to  Lieut.-Colonel,  and  Captain  Haycock  to  Major. 

Chancellorsville  Campaign.  — On  the  forenoon  of  April 
28th  the  regiment  under  the  command  of  Lieut.-Colonel  Harris 
marched  towards  the  Rappahannock,  and  that  night  was  engaged 
in  transporting  and  launching  pontoons  preparatory  to  crossing 
the  river.  April  30th  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Falmouth,  and 
on  the  afternoon  of  May  1st  proceeded  across  the  river  and  took 
position  in  the  front  line  of  battle.  May  2d  an  advance  of  the 
entire  line  was  ordered,  and  the  regiment  went  forward  in  line 
of  battle,  the  skirmishers  driving  the  enemy  before  them,  until 
darkness  put  a stop  to  the  advance.  During  the  night  the  regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Fredericksburg,  and  soon  after 
daylight  on  May  3d  it  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  front  of  the 
heights  of  Marye ; and  in  a few  moments  after  10  a.  m.  the 
order  to  charge  was  given,  and  the  regiment  advanced  on 
the  double-quick. 

Marye’s  Heights  and  Brooks  Ford.* — In  the  charge  on 
Marye’s  Heights,  May  3,  1863,  the  Sixth  Maine  regiment  was 
a part  of  the  Light  Division,  an  organization  of  picked  regi- 
ments belonging  to  Sedgwick’s  Sixth  army  corps.  The  Light 
Division  on  this  historic  occasion  was  commanded  by  Colonel 
Hiram  Burnham  of  the  Sixth  Maine.  The  regiment  was  com- 
manded by  Lieut. -Col.  Benjamin  F.  Harris.  The  charge  was 
upon  the  very  heights  where  Burnside  had  been  repulsed  with 
such  dreadful  slaughter  in  December,  1862. 

The  regiment  was  drawn  up  in  front  of  the  formidable  posi- 
tion to  be  carried,  and  just  in  the  rear  of  a slight  rise  in  the 
ground  which  protected  it  from  the  enemy’s  fire  until  the  for- 
ward movement  was  made.  In  its  front  was  a portion  of  the 
5th  Wis.  deployed  as  skirmishers.  The  rebel  works  were  held 
by  troops  under  the  Confederate  General  Early,  whom  the 
Sixth  Maine  had  met  and  wounded  in  its  celebrated  charge 
under  Hancock  at  Williamsburg.  The  works  were  well  manned, 
swarming  with  rebel  infantry,  and  in  the  redoubts  at  the  top  of 

* [The  editors  are  indebted  to  Brevet  Colonel  Charles  A.  Clark,  Adjutant 
of  the  Sixth  Maine,  for  the  particulars  of  the  charge  at  Marye’s  Heights,  and 
also  that  at  Rappahannock  Station. — C.  H.] 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


415 


the  heights  was  posted  the  famous  Washington  Artillery  from 
New  Orleans.  Against  such  a position,  which  many  thousands 
of  troops  in  solid  column  had  failed  to  carry  under  Burnside, 
it  seemed  incredible  that  this  little  regiment  of  less  than  four 
hundred  men  at  the  time  of  the  charge,  hurled  as  a single  line 
of  battle,  should  ever  meet  with  success. 

But  no  man  in  the  regiment  was  dismayed.  Lieut. -Colonel 
Harris  required  every  gun  to  be  uncapped,  and  gave  strict  orders 
against  firing  a musket  until  the  works  at  the  top  of  the  heights 
were  reached.  The  men  carried  their  muskets  at  "arms  port.” 
The  command  for  the  attack  was  given  at  about  eleven  o’clock 
a.  m.  The  men  dashed  forward  with  unflinching  will.  As  the 
line  swept  over  the  roll  of  ground  in  its  front  it  faced  and  at 
once  came  upon  the  " slaughter  pen  ” of  Burnside’s  calamitous 
battle.  At  once  the  stone-wall  at  the  foot  of  the  heights,  the 
rifle-pits  higher  up,  and  the  artillery  in  the  earthworks  at  the 
top  blazed  forth  death  in  every  form.  Major  Haycock,  a brave 
and  gallant  officer,  fell  at  the  first  fire.  Many  of  the  men  were 
struck  down  at  this  point.  The  regiment  swept  across  the 
" slaughter  pen  ” and  attacked  and  carried  the  old  stone-wall  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet.  Without  firing  a shot,  the  men 
pushed  on  to  the  rifle-pits  further  up,  and  there  the  most  des- 
perate and  bloody  part  of  the  engagement  occurred.  The  rebels, 
driven  from  the  stone-wall,  made  a determined  stand  with  their 
other  forces  at  the  rifle-pits.  They  were  driven  out  after  hot 
resistance,  and  a shout  of  victory  went  up  from  the  assailing  line. 

It  has  been  asserted  that  the  bayonet  was  not  used  in  actual 
contact  with  the  enemy  during  the  war.  The  Sixth  Maine  in 
this  charge,  both  at  the  stone-wall  and  the  rifle-pits,  used  the 
bayonet  and  nothing  else.  Decimated  by  bullets,  pierced 
through  and  through  by  canister  and  case  shot  from  the  enemy’s 
artillery,  it  wasted  no  time  in  firing  so  much  as  a volley,  but 
using  bayonets  or  clubbed  muskets,  fought  its  way  on  to  the 
redoubts.  More  than  25  of  the  enemy  were  killed  at  these 
points  by  the  bayonet  alone,  and  many  were  wounded.  Private 
George  Brown  of  company  Iv  bayonetted  two  of  the  enemy  in 
succession,  and  then  as  the  resistance  was  obstinate,  he  brained 
a third  with  the  butt  of  his  musket.  Captains  Young,  Gray 


416 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  Ballinger  fell  at  these  points,  cheering  on  their  men  and 
lighting  like  the  brave  and  true  men  that  they  were. 

As  the  enemy’s  line  gave  way  at  the  rifle-pits,  the  regiment 
swept  forward,  following  the  retreating  foe  so  closely  that  they 
never  rallied,  and  rushing  on,  scaled  the  earthworks  at  the  top 
of  the  hill,  capturing  many  prisoners  and  seven  guns  from  the 
Washington  Artillery.  In  live  minutes  from  the  time  when 
the  regiment  started  on  its  charge,  its  colors  waved  over  the 
enemy’s  strongest  work  and  the  victory  was  won.  The  loss 
was  128  men  and  oflicers  killed  and  wounded,  out  of  less  than 
400  who  were  present  for  duty.  There  were  many  instances 
of  individual  gallantry  which  it  is  impossible  to  mention.  Offi- 
cial reports  record  that  Color-Sergeant  John  A.  Gray,  who 
afterwards  fell  at  Rappahannock  Station,  was  the  first  man  of 
the  Union  forces  to  enter  the  enemy’s  works,  and  that  he 
planted  his  colors  there  while  the  rebel  artillery-men  were  still 
at  their  guns  and  the  infantry  making  a stubborn  resistance. 

To  identify  the  ground  over  which  this  magnificent  charge 
was  made,  it  may  be  stated  that,  facing  the  heights,  it  was  just 
at  the  right  of  where  the  National  Cemetery  is  now  located. 
The  left  of  the  regiment  passed  over  a portion  of  the  ground 
now  made  sacred  as  the  last  resting  place  of  those  who  fell  for 
their  country,  and  the  line  of  the  regiment  extended  to  the 
right  across  the  little  ravine  which  now  separates  the  old  Marye 
brick  mansion  from  the  present  residence  of  Colonel  Charles 
W.  Richardson,  who  was  then  of  the  Confederate  artillery,  and 
who  met  the  regiment  with  the  remainder  of  the  Sixth  corps 
later  in  the  day  at  Salem  Church.  The  residence  of  Colonel 
Richardson  stands  upon  the  very  ground  where  the  principal 
Confederate  redoubt  was  stormed  and  carried  by  the  Sixth 
Maine,  and  where  the  guns  of  the  Washington,  Artillery  were 
captured. 

At  Salem  Church,  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  the 
Sixth  Maine  met  Longstreet’s  forces,  which  had  been  detached 
from  Chancellorsville  by  General  Lee  to  check  the  forward 
movement  of  Sedgwick’s  corps.  But  the  regiment  was  not 
very  actively  engaged. 

The  following  night  of  May  4th,  at  Brooks’  Ford,  the  Sixth 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


417 


Maine  was  the  extreme  right  of  Sedgwick’s  corps  and  held  a 
position  which  commanded  Sedgwick’s  pontoons  at  Banks’  Ford 
further  down  the  river,  over  which  the  corps  was  withdrawn 
that  night.  It  was  a position  of  honor  but  extreme  danger. 
The  regiment,  as  at  Marye’s  Heights,  was  the  forlorn  hope  of 
the  corps.  Its  safety  and  its  successful  withdrawal  depended 
much  upon  the  Sixth  Maine. 

As  the  rest  of  the  corps  was  gradually  retired,  the  regiment 
became  detached  from  all  of  the  other  Union  forces,  and  at  11 
o’clock  was  entirely  surrounded  by  the  swarming  Confederates. 
It  was  attacked  by  overwhelming  numbers  in  the  belt  of  timber 
where  it  was  posted,  and  repulsed  the  attack  handsomely.  Then 
as  the  rebels  were  re-forming  for  the  capture  of  the  regiment 
which  had  successfully  assailed  its  strongest  position  the  day 
before,  the  Sixth  Maine  was  at  the  last  moment  successfully 
withdrawn  over  a precipitous  bluff  in  its  rear,  and  made  its  way 
along  the  water’s  edge  down  to  the  pontoons,  where  it  recrossed 
in  safety,  being  the  rear  guard  of  the  corps.  Before  it  made  its 
appearance  at  the  pontoons  it  was  believed  to  have  been  anni- 
hilated and  captured  at  Brooks’  Ford,  where  it  had  been  posted 
as  a probable  sacrifice  to  insure  the  safety  of  the  remainder  of 
the  corps.  Adjutant  Charles  A.  Clark  was  awarded  a special 
Congressional  Medal  of  Honor  for  his  bravery,  gallantry  and 
coolness  in  handling  and  extricating  his  regiment  from  its  per- 
ilous situation,  and  in  saving  it  from  annihilation  and  capture 
in  the  absence  of  his  superior  officers  who  were  disabled  and 
separated  from  the  regiment  at  that  time. 

On  the  1 1th  of  May  the  Light  Division  was  broken  up  and 
the  regiments  composing  it  assigned  to  different  brigades,  in 
consequence  of  the  discharge  from  the  service  of  two  years’  and 
nine  months’  troops.  The  Sixth  was  assigned  to  the  Third 
brigade,  First  division,  Sixth  corps. 

Gettysburg  Campaign.  — On  June  9th  the  regiment,  in 
conjunction  with  two  other  regiments  of  infantry  under  the 
command  of  General  Russell,  arriving  at  Kelly’s  Ford,  dashed 
across  the  river,  surprising  and  routing  the  enemy.  The  pursuit 
was  hotly  continued  until  reaching  Brandy  Station,  where 
it  joined  General  Ames’  force  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  and 


418 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  command  retired  to  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  having 
accomplished  the  object  of  the  expedition,  which  was  the  gaining 
of  correct  information  about  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 

The  regiment  participated  in  the  long  and  fatiguing  marches 
of  the  Pennsylvania  campaign  and  arrived  at  Gettysburg,  having- 
marched  thirty-six  miles  in  twenty  hours.  The  Sixth  was  not 
actively  engaged  in  that  memorable  battle,  but  it  occupied  a 
responsible  position  upon  the  extreme  left  flank  of  the  Union 
army  until  the  last  desperate  charge  of  the  enemy  upon  our  left 
centre,  when  it  was  ordered  to  act  as  a reserve.  In  the  close 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  July  5th,  the  Sixth  regiment  was  in  the 
front,  skirmishing  not  infrequently  with  the  enemy’s  rear,  and 
kept  this  exposed  but  honorable  position  until  Lee  succeeded 
in  crossing  into  Virginia.  July  12th,  the  regiment  being  in 
line  of  battle  near  Funkstown,  Md.,  supporting  the  skirmish  line 
of  the  division,  Captain  Furlong,  with  his  company  (D),  num- 
bering only  25,  went  beyond  the  skirmishers  and  succeeded  in 
surprising  a portion  of  the  enemy’s  pickets,  killing  and  wound- 
ing about  30,  and  capturing  32  prisoners  without  losing  a man. 
July  19th  the  regiment  crossed  the  Potomac  on  its  way  into  the 
interior  of  Virginia.  The  day  folio  wing  Colonel  Burnham  was 
ordered  to  Maine  on  duty  connected  with  the  draft,  and  the 
command  devolved  upon  Lieut. -Colonel  Harris. 

The  following  is  from  the  official  report  of  Brig. -General 
Russell,  commanding  brigade,  dated  August  20,  1863  : — 

" On  June  28th  this  command  broke  camp  near  Edwards 
Ferry,  Md.,  at  4 p.  m.  With  the  exception  of  much  heavy 
marching  and  the  share  taken  by  it  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg } 
of  which  a report  was  forwarded  from  these  headquarters  on  the 
3d  inst.,  nothing  of  moment  occurred  until  Sunday,  July  12th, 
on  the  morning  of  which  last-mentioned  day  we  were  encamped 
within  about  two  miles  of  Funkstown,  Md. 

"At  4:30  o’clock  on  the  morning  of  July  12th  we  broke 
camp  and  marched  out  about  half  a mile  beyond  Funkstown, 
where  we  halted  and  formed  line  of  battle. 

"The  Sixth  Maine  Volunteers  was  placed  on  the  left  of  the 
road  (its  right  resting  on  the  road)  leading  from  Funkstown 
to  Williamsport  ; the  5th  regiment  Wis.  Vols.  in  the  rear  of  the 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


419 


Sixth  Maine;  the  119th  regiment  Penn.  Vols.  on  the  right  of 
the  road,  its  left  resting  on  the  road,  while  the  49th  regiment 
Penn.  Vols.  was  stationed  by  the  general  commanding  the  divis- 
ion about  a third  of  a mile  to  the  right  of  the  road,  to  support 
a battery  in  position  at  that  point.  A strong  line  of  skirmishers 
was  thrown  out  in  front  of  the  Sixth  Maine,  and  the  skirmish 
line  was  advanced  a little  during  the  mornino-  and  some  brisk 
tiring  ensued  therein. 

"About  2 p.  m.  Capt.  R.  W.  Furlong,  commanding  company 
D,  Sixth  Maine,  with  his  company,  in  a highly  daring  and  gal- 
lant manner,  broke  through  the  skirmish  line,  and,  without  los- 
ing a man,  surrounded  and  captured  33  enlisted  men,  a captain 
and  a lieutenant,  — an  entire  company.” 

The  regiment  was  encamped  near  Warrenton,  Va.,  during 
the  month  of  August,  until  the  first  part  of  September,  when 
it  proceeded  to  Culpeper  Court  House,  and  was  engaged  in 
repairing  the  roads  between  Culpeper  and  Hazel  River.  After 
rendering  the  roads  and  ford  passable,  the  regiment  returned 
to  Culpeper  and  remained  there  till  October  5th,  when  with  the 
corps  it  proceeded  to  the  Rapidan,  relieving  the  Second  corps. 

October  10th  the  regiment  started  on  the  return  march  with 
the  army  and  arrived  at  a certain  point  near  Centreville  and 
Chantilly,  where  a line  of  battle  was  formed,  and  the  army 
remained  there  a number  of  days  awaiting  the  enemy’s  attack. 
"While  there  about  fifty  men  of  the  Sixth,  being  on  picket,  were 
attacked  by  about  five  hundred  of  Stuart’s  cavalry,  but  they 
handsomely  repulsed  them  after  a very  spirited  skirmish. 

October  19tli  the  regiment  advanced  to  Warrenton,  and  on 
the  7th  of  November,  1863,  the  Sixth  Maine  marched  with  the 
remainder  of  the  Sixth  army  corps  from  Warrenton  to  Rappa- 
hannock Station. 

Rappahannock  Station.  — The  regiment  was  commanded 
by  Lieut. -Col.  Benjamin  F.  Harris  ; the  brigade  by  Gen.  David 
A.  Russell.  The  rio'ht  wins;  of  the  reafiment  was  thrown  out  as 
a line  of  skirmishers  to  cover  the  advance  as  soon  as  the  works 
of  the  enemy  were  approached,  at  about  1 o’clock  p.  M.  Over 
an  open  plain,  broken  and  undulating,  the  enemy  were  pressed 
back  vigorously  for  three-quarters  of  a mile,  until  within  close 


420 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


proximity  to  the  works.  The  other  battalion  of  the  regiment  was 
then  deployed  and  advanced  as  skirmishers,  making  a double 
line  of  skirmishers  with  the  men  about  six  feet  apart.  There 
were  present  for  duty  about  250  men  and  21  officers.  The 
Confederate  works  were  held  by  two  brigades  of  infantry  and 
a battery  of  artillery.  The  position  was  commanded  by  the  old 
adversary  of  the  regiment,  Gen.  Jubal  A.  Early. 

At  about  dusk  General  Russell  gave  the  command  for  the 
regiment,  deployed  as  a double  line  of  skirmishers  as  already 
stated,  to  assault  the  works  of  the  enemy  in  front,  and  he  joined 
in  the  charge  himself.  The  regiment  was  joined  in  the  assault 
by  about  eighty  men  of  the  Twentieth  Maine,  under  Captain 
Walter  G.  Morrill  of  that  regiment.  Captain  Morrill  had  for- 
merly been  a member  of  the  Sixth  Maine,  and  when  he  saw  his 
old  comrades  making  the  perilous  charge,  he  ordered  his  own 
skirmishers  forward  upon  his  own  responsibility  and  entered 
the  rebel  works  with  the  Sixth  Maine  upon  its  right ; and  was 
by  his  almost  unexampled  courage  and  gallantry  of  the  greatest 
assistance  in  the  achievement  which  followed. 

As  at  Marye’s  Heights,  the  Sixth  Maine  uncapped  their  mus- 
kets and  advanced  at  double-quick,  entering  the  works  of  the 
enemy  without  firing  a shot.  There  a fierce  hand-to-hand  con- 
flict ensued,  in  which  bayonet  and  sword  thrusts  were  delivered 
and  received,  and  in  spite  of  the  terrific  fire  which  the  regiment 
had  faced  in  its  advance,  and  the  brave  and  determined  resist- 
ance which  it  encountered  upon  entering  the  works,  this  little 
band  was  none  the  less  successful ; and  there,  in  the  face  of 
overwhelming  and  astounding  superiority  of  numbers  sheltered 
behind  rifle-pits  and  redoubts,  it  captured  the  enemy’s  guns, 
his  redoubts  and  works,  and  holding  the  position  which  it  had 
gained,  nothing  was  left  but  for  other  forces  to  come  up  and 
receive  the  surrender  of  the  defeated  and  disorganized  enemy. 

The  regiment  paid  dearly  for  its  gallantry.  It  lost  in  killed 
and  wounded  16  officers  out  of  21  engaged,  and  124  enlisted 
men,  or  very  nearly  fifty  per  cent  of  all  the  men  who  went  into 
the  engagement,  and  more  than  seventy-six  per  cent  of  the 
officers  who  led  the  assault.  General  Russell  was  also  slightly 
wounded,  and  Captain  Russell  of  his  staff  seriously  wounded. 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


421 


This  brilliant  charge  of  the  Sixth  Maine  received  the  imme- 
diate  support  of  its  twin  regiment,  the  5th  Wis.,  which  entered 
the  works  at  the  right  of  the  Sixth  Maine  skirmishers,  shortly 
after  they  were  carried  by  the  skirmish  line,  and  gallantly  aided 
in  repulsing  the  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  recapture  their  works. 

Further  to  the  right  Colonel  Emory  Upton,  commanding 
the  First  brigade,  promptly  put  into  the  light  another  heroic 
Maine  regiment,  the  Fifth  infantry,  commanded  by  Col.  Clark 
S.  Edwards,  and  also  the  121st  N.  Y.  These  regiments  carried 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  the  works  in  their  front  into  which 
the  rebel  forces  had  swarmed  from  the  rifle-pits  and  redoubts  to 
the  left ; and  great  numbers  of  prisoners  surrendered  to  the 
Fifth  Maine.  This  movement  completed  the  discomfiture  of 
the  enemy  and  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  his  entire  forces. 
The  official  reports  of  this  engagement  are  given  in  Volume  29, 
Part  1,  of  Rebellion  Records. 

Colonel  Upton,  page  592  of  this  volume,  reports  that  about 
dusk  he  was  ordered  to  bring  two  of  his  regiments  rapidly  to 
the  front  to  help  hold  the  redoubts  already  captured  by  the 
Third  (Russell’s)  brigade,  and  he  says  : "The  Fifth  Maine  and 
121st  N.  Y.,  being  in  the  front  line,  were  immediately  ordered 
forward.  The  Third  brigade  still  holding  possession  of  the 
works  they  had  captured,  General  Russell  directed  me  to  dis- 
lodge the  enemy  from  a rifle-pit  to  our  right  of  the  redoubt,  and 
from  which  he  maintained  an  enfilading  fire.  Everything  being 
ready,  the  line  advanced  at  quick  time  to  within  thirty  yards  of 
the  works,  when  the  order  to  ' charge  ’ was  given.  The  works 
were  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  without  firing  a 
shot.  The  enemy  fought  stubbornly  over  their  colors,  but  being 
overpowered  soon  surrendered.  The  Fifth  Maine  in  this  charge 
captured  two  colors.”  [The  Fifth  Maine  captured  four  colors 
as  shown  by  Colonel  Edwards’  report.] 

The  report  of  Col.  Clark  S.  Edwards,  page  594  of  the  same 
volume,  shows  that  his  regiment,  the  Fifth  Maine,  lost  in  this 
engagement  7 killed  and  28  wounded.  The  121st  N.  Y.  is 
shown  by  the  same  reports  to  have  lost  25  officers  and  men, 
killed  and  wounded,  out  of  314  present.  The  losses  of  the  5th 
Wis.  were  59  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  detachment  from 


422 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  Twentieth  Maine  who  volunteered  to  join  in  the  charge 
under  Captain  Morrill,  lost  7 in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  Sixth  Maine  lost  more  than  all  of  the  other  regiments 
engaged  in  this  tierce  encounter.  Its  losses,  as  already  stated, 
were  16  officers  killed  and  wounded  out  of  21  engaged,  and  124 
enlisted  men  killed  and  wounded  out  of  about  250  engaged. 

The  official  reports  in  the  volume  above  referred  to  give  full 
credit  to  all  of  these  regiments.  Gen.  John  Sedgwick,  com- 
manding the  Sixth  corps,  says  in  his  report,  page  575  : "The 
officers  and  troops  engaged  in  the  assault,  particularly  Brig.- 
General  Russell,  Colonels  Upton  and  Ellmaker,  and  the  5th 
Wis.  and  the  Sixth  Maine  Volunteers,  deserve  the  highest  praise 
that  can  be  bestowed  upon  a soldier.” 

General  Sedgwick  also  ^issued  a congratulatory  order  in 
which  he  said  : " The  assault  of  the  storming  party  under  Gen- 

eral Russell,  conducted  over  rough  ground,  in  the  full  lire  of 
the  works,  could  not  be  surpassed  in  steadiness  and  gallantry. 
The  brigades  of  Colonel  Ellmaker  and  Colonel  Upton  and  the 
troops  of  the  Fifth  corps  which  participated  in  the  assault 
have  nobly  earned  the  admiration  and  credit  of  their  comrades 
and  commanders.” 

" The  Sixth  Maine  and  5th  Wis.  volunteers,  for  carrying  the 
redoubt;  the  121st  N.  Y.  and  Fifth  Maine,  for  taking  the  line 
of  rifle-pits  with  the  bayonet  and  seizing  the  enemy’s  bridge, 
deserve  a special  honor.” 

General  Meade  also  issued  an  order  of  thanks  to  the  forces 
engaged,  page  576  of  volume  referred  to. 

General  Wright,  division  commander,  said  in  his  report, 
page  586:  "To  the  5th  Wis.  and  Sixth  Maine,  comprising 
the  storming  party,  belong  the  honor  of  carrying  the  enemy’s 
works;  while  the  Fifth  Maine  and  121st  N.  Y.  subsequently 
carried  the  rifle-pits  on  the  right  most  gallantly,  taking  large 
numbers  of  prisoners.  I must  not  omit  to  mention  about 
fifty  men  from  the  Twentieth  Maine,  belonging  to  the  Fifth 
corps,  under  Captain  Morrill,  who  joined  the  storming  party, 
and  by  their  dash  and  gallantry  rendered  efficient  service  in 
the  assault.” 

As  already  stated,  the  assault  was  made  under  the  immediate 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


423 


command  and  supervision  of  Gen.  David  A.  Russell,  who  per- 
sonally knew  what  transpired.  He  was  himself  in  the  thick  of 
the  fight  and  was  wounded.  His  report,  pages  587  to  590  of 
the  volume  above  mentioned,  contains  the  statements  not  only 
of  a commanding  officer,  but  of  an  eye-witness.  He  says  that 
five  companies  of  the  Sixth  Maine  were  deployed  as  skirmishers 
until  the  command  reached  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  forti- 
fications, which  were  assaulted,  and  he  adds  : "Here  the  order 
was  given  to  deploy  the  remaining  five  companies  of  the  Sixth 
Maine,  to  double  the  skirmish  line,  and,  with  that  formation  and 
the  5th  Wis.  as  a support,  to  make  a charge  upon  the  enemy’s 
works.  Upon  the  command  'Forward,  double-quick,’  the  skir- 
mish line  with  their  support  dashed  on  in  a style  never  surpassed 
by  any  troops.  The  ground  was  of  a nature  well  calculated  to 
check  the  impetuosity  of  a charge.  Across  the  way  as  they 
advanced  the  storming  column  encountered  a formidable  ditch 
twelve  or  fourteen  feet  wide,  some  six  feet  deep,  and  filled  with 
mud  and  water  to  an  average  depth  of  three  feet.  Across  this 
the}7  came  to  a plain,  broken  with  stumps  and  underbrush,  while 
before  the  skirmish  line  in  the  advance  could  be  reached  a dry 
moat  or  ditch  had  to  be  crossed,  nearly  as  formidable  as  the 
obstacles  already  passed.  But  over  every  hindrance,  in  the  face 
of  a heavy  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery,  the  storming  party 
pressed  on  with  bayonets  fixed,  and  never  pausing  to  fire  a shot. 
The  left  wing  of  the  skirmish  line  entered  the  smaller  redoubt 
upon  the  enemy’s  right  almost  at  the  same  time  that  the  right 
of  the  skirmish  line  leaped  into  the  larger  redoubt  and  the  rifle- 
pit  extending  from  its  left.  The  5th  Wis.  were  directed  upon 
the  stronger  work,  and  the  right  of  the  skirmish  line  wheeled 
down  to  aid  their  left  in  the  smaller  work.  A desperate  hand- 
to-hand  struggle  ensued.  The  foe  was  overpowered  and  the 
works  were  ours.  Staff  officers  were  sent  to  Col.  Emory  Upton, 
commanding  the  Second  brigade  of  this  division,  with  orders  to 
him  to  bring  up  speedily  two  regiments  of  his  command,  and 
the  121st  X.  Y.  and  Fifth  Maine,  under  Colonel  Upton,  were 
led  to  the  assault  upon  the  rifle-pits  with  commendable  coolness, 
steadiness  and  bravery.  They  overcame  the  enemy  everywhere 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  resistance  was  speedily  over.” 


424 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


General  Russell,  referring  to  the  heroic  men  of  the  Twen- 
tieth Maine,  says  : " Much  praise  is  due  to  Captain  Morrill  of 

the  Twentieth  regiment,  Maine  volunteers,  who  commanded 
a skirmish  detail  of  75  men  from  the  Fifth  corps.  His  men 
joined  the  left  of  the  Sixth  Maine,  and  on  learning  the  works 
in  their  front  were  to  be  stormed,  he  called  for  volunteers  to  aid 
their  sister  regiment.  Some  50  men  responded  to  the  call,  and 
by  their  valor  and  dash  rendered  most  efficient  aid.” 

The  flags  captured  from  the  enemy  in  this  desperate  engage- 
ment were,  by  General  Meade,  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  in  charge  of  General  Russell,  accompanied  by  an  escort 
of  men  from  the  above-mentioned  regiments  who  were  engaged 
in  the  contest.  The  communication  from  Secretary  Stanton 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  the  flags  said  : " The  Secretary 

desires  me  to  convey  his  thanks  to  the  officers  and  men  engaged 
in  those  operations  of  the  army  which  reflect  such  high  credit 
upon  the  skill  which  planned  and  the  bravery  which  successfully 
executed  them.” 

Thus  the  unexampled  bravery  of  the  men  who  achieved  this 
brilliant  success,  and  the  importance  of  the  engagement  at  that 
particular  period  in  the  war,  were  acknowledged  and  applauded 
by  the  highest  Union  authorities  and  the  most  renowned  Union 
generals.  This  elation  in  the  Union  army  was  not  without  its 
corresponding  depression  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  General 
Early  and  even  General  Lee  made  elaborate  reports  attempting 
to  explain  the  defeat  sustained  by  the  Confederates. 

The  losses  of  the  Sixth  Maine  were  very  severe.  Accord- 
ing to  that  great  historical  work,  "Fox’s  Regimental  Losses  in 
the  Civil  War,”  the  losses  of  the  Light  Brigade  in  its  famous 
charge  at  Balaklava  were  much  smaller  than  those  of  the  Sixth 
Maine  at  Rappahannock  Station  in  proportion  to  the  numbers 
engaged.  He  says  : "The  Light  Brigade  took  673  officers  and 
men  into  that  charge  ; they  lost  113  killed  and  134  wounded  ; 
total,  247  or  36  7-10  per  cent.” 

Now  compare  this  Avith  the  loss  of  the  Sixth  Maine  at  Rap- 
pahannock Station.  It  lost  more  than  43  per  cent  of  the  entire 
forces  which  it  took  into  action,  while  among  the  officers  of 
that  regiment  engaged,  the  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was 


SIXTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


425 


more  than  76  per  cent,  which,  in  battle,  among  officers,  has 
few  if  any  parallels  in  modern  warfare. 

In  the  same  volume  Fox  gives  the  following  account  of  the 
Sixth  Maine  at  Rappahannock  Station  and  Marye’s  Heights ; 
on  page  77  he  says : — 

"In  this  affair  (Rappahannock  Station)  there  was  another 
display  of  that  dash  and  gallantry  which  was  so  eminently  charac- 
teristic of  the  Sixth  corps.  At  Rappahannock  Station,  Captain 
Furlong  of  the  Sixth  Maine  leaped  over  the  enemy’s  works, 
and  after  emptying  his  revolver  fought  with  a clubbed  musket, 
swinging  it  round  his  head  until  he  fell  dead.  After  the  battle 
his  body  was  found  among  a pile  of  dead,  several  of  whom  had 
been  killed  by  the  blows  of  a musket  stock.  The  Sixth  Maine 
and  5th  Wis.  distinguished  themselves  particularly  in  this 
action,  leading  the  storming  party  and  carrying  the  works  with 
the  bayonet  only.  It  was  a brilliant  success,  resulting  not  only 
in  a victory,  but  in  the  capture  of  a large  number  of  prisoners, 
small  arms,  artillery  and  battle-flags.” 

On  page  128  of  the  same  work  it  is  said : "There  was  no 
more  brilliant  action  in  the  war  than  the  affair  at  Rappahan- 
nock Station,  Va.,  November  7,  1863.  The  Sixth  Maine  was 
the  most  prominent  in  that  successful  tight,  although  gallantly 
assisted  by  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade.  The  enemy, 
about  2,000  strong,  occupied  an  intrenched  position  ; the  Sixth 
Maine,  with  uncapped  muskets,  supported  by  the  5th  Wis., 
stormed  their  works  and,  springing  over  them,  were  engaged 
in  a desperate  struggle,  some  of  the  fighting  being  hand  to 
hand ; bayonets  were  freely  used,  and  in  one  case  an  officer 
thrust  his  sabre  through  an  antagonist.  Good  fighting  was  also 
done  at  other  points  of  the  line,  the  total  result  being  a brilliant 
victory,  with  large  captures  of  men  and  material.  But  the 
brunt  of  the  fight  fell  on  the  Sixth.  It  lost  38  killed  and  101 
wounded,  out  of  the  321  present  in  action;  and  of  21  officers 
engaged,  16  were  killed  or  wounded.  This  was  not  the  first 
time  that  the  Sixth  had  leaped  the  enemy’s  breastworks  against 
the  blazing  muzzles  of  a line  of  rifles.  In  the  successful  assault 
on  Marye’s  Heights,  May  3,  1863,  the  flag  of  the  Sixth  was  the 
first  to  wave  over  the  enemy’s  works.  The  regiment  was  in 


426 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  famous  ' Light  Division  ’ of  the  Sixth  corps  and  did  not  tire 
a shot  during  the  charge,  but  carried  the  works  with  the 
bayonet ; and  mention  is  made  of  one  man  in  the  Sixth  who 
bayoneted  two  adversaries,  and  then  brained  a third  with  the 
butt  of  a musket.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  in  that  battle  was 
23  killed,  111  wounded  and  35  missing.  Major  Haycock  and 
four  captains  were  among  the  killed.” 

The  above  reference  to  the  officer  of  the  Sixth  Maine  " who 
thrust  his  sabre  through  an  antagonist  ” at  Rappahannock  Sta- 
tion is  thus  mentioned  in  the  official  report  of  Major  George 
Fuller  : "Adjutant  Charles  A.  Clark  was  also  severely  wounded 
while  in  the  works  bravely  doing  his  duty,  but  not  before  he 
had  driven  his  sword  into  his  adversary.”  Major  Fuller 
remained  in  command  of  the  regiment  after  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Harris  was  frightfully  wounded.  For  his  special  gallantry  in 
this  battle  Sergeant  Otis  O.  Roberts  of  company  H received  a 
medal  of  honor. 

On  page  128  of  Fox’s  book  it  appears  that  the  total  enroll- 
ment of  the  Sixth  Maine  was  1,213,  and  its  total  number  of 
killed  and  wounded  during  its  term  of  service  was  519,  or  cer- 
tainly more  than  50  per  cent  of  the  actual  combatants  of  the 
regiment.  The  Sixth  Maine  is  one  of  Fox’s  "Three  Hundred 
Fighting  Regiments.” 

At  Spotsylvania  Court  House,  in  May,  1864,  the  regiment 
lost,  as  shown  on  page  446  of  Fox’s  work,  135  men  and  officers 
on  that  bloody  field. 

Locust  Grove  and  Mine  Run. — The  Sixth  went  on  the 
27th  of  November  to  the  support  of  the  Third  corps,  then 
engaged  with  the  enemy  .at  Locust  Grove.  The  prompt  arrival 
of  the  command  turned  the  fortunes  of  the  day,  and  the  enemy 
quickly  retired.  The  regiment  returned  with  the  army  and 
marched  back  to  its  former  camp  near  Wilber  Ford,  where  it 
remained  on  January  1,  1864. 

From  the  report  to  the  Adjutant  General  of  Maine  we  glean 
an  outline  of  the  subsequent  history  of  the  regiment : — 

Grant’s  Campaign. — The  regiment  remained  in  camp  at 
Brandy  Station,  Va.,  from  January  1,  1864,  until  the  opening 
of  General  Grant’s  campaign,  May  4th.  Two  days  after  this 


ROSTER  OF  THE  SIXTH  REGIMENT. 


427 


date  they,  forming  a part  of  the  Sixth  corps,  were  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  but  not  in  that  portion  of  the  lines 
that  suffered  a heavy  attack.  At  the  battle  of  Spotsylvania,  on 
the  8th,  they  were  engaged  and  lost  a few  men  by  the  enemy’s 
sharpshooters ; also  participated  on  the  10th  in  the  attack  and 
capture  of  the  enemy’s  works,  and  being  compelled  to  retreat 
suffered  a loss  of  125  men.  On  the  12th  the  regiment,  numbering 
only  70  men,  was  under  tire  eight  hours,  supporting  General 
Hancock’s  forces,  and  losing  16  men  and  officers,  killed  and 
wounded.  The  regiment  was  engaged  in  several  skirmishes, 
experiencing  no  casualties  until  arriving  at  Cold  Harbor,  where 
for  twelve  days  the  men  were  employed  in  building  fortifica- 
tions, skirmishing  and  picketing,  losing  in  all  about  15  of  their 
number.  On  the  14th  of  June  the  regiment  started  up  the  James 
River,  reaching  General  Butler’s  headquarters  on  the  17th  and 
Petersburg  on  the  20th,  where  it  remained  until  the  10th  of 
July,  when,  its  term  of  service  expiring  the  15th,  they  were 
ordered  to  Washington,  arriving  on  the  12th.  Here  they  vol- 
unteered to  remain  thirty  days  in  defense  of  the  city,  and  were 
marched  to  Fort  Stevens.  However,  on  the  13th  they  were 
relieved,  and  on  the  17th  left  for  Portland,  about  165  in  num- 
ber, where  they  arrived  on  the  2 2d,  and  were  mustered  out  on 
the  15th  of  August.  About  238  re-enlisted  men  and  recruits, 
whose  term  of  service  had  not  expired,  were  temporarily  organ- 
ized into  a battalion,  afterwards  assigned  to  the  First  regiment 
Maine  Veteran  Volunteers,  which  was  made  up  from  the  same 
class  of  men  with  part  of  the  officers  of  the  Fifth,  Sixth  and 
Seventh  Maine  regiments,  organized  by  Special  Order  311,  par. 
47,  War  Dept.,  A.  G.  O.,  September  20,  1864.  An  account  of 
the  brilliant  history  of  this  veteran  regiment  is  given  in  the  last 
portion  of  the  historical  sketch  of  the  Seventh  Maine,  appearing 
on  another  page,  and  is  omitted  here  for  that  reason. 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Sixth 
Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army  Register, 


428 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


published  by  the  War  Department  August  31,  1865,  and  other 
reliable  sources  : — 

Officers  at  Muster-out,  August  15,  1864. 

Captains : Theodore  Lincoln,  J r. , Aug.  2, 1862,  — commissioned  Major, 
not  mustered;  Levi  L.  L.  Bassford,  Aug.  25,  1862, — discharged  Apr.  25, 
1864,  recommissioned  June  4,  1864;  Joseph  G.  Roberts,  May  28,  1863;  Lycur- 
gus  Smith,  June  20,  1863;  Frederick  A.  Hill,  Dec.  22,  1863;  Frederick  B. 
Ginn,  Jan.  1,  1864. 

First  Lieutenants:  Addison  P.  Buck,  Quartermaster,  Sept.  20,  1861; 
Solomon  J.  Morton,  May  28,  1863;  Percival  Knowles,  Aug.  15,  1863;  Horace 
S.  Hobbs,  Dec.  22,  1863;  John  L.  Pierce,  Dec.  22,  1863;  Frank  H.  Burnham, 
Apr.  30,  1864;  Charles  P.  Dorr,  May  3,  1864;  John  C.  Honey,  May  3,  1864. 

Surgeons:  William  Buck,  Aug.  15,  1863.  Assistant  Surgeon,  Samuel 
B.  Straw,  Oct.  24,  1863. 

Chaplain:  Moses  J.  Kelley,  Aug.  14,  1862. 

( Dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission,  those  given  hereafter 
refer  to  date  of  the  event. ) 

Died. 

Major:  Joel  A.  Haycock,  killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  May 
3,  1863. 

Captains:  Sewall  C.  Gray,  killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va., 
May  3,  1863;  John  H.  Ballinger,  killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  May 
3,  1863;  Ralph  W.  Young,  killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  May  3, 
1863;  Thomas  P.  Roach,  May  28,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Fredericks- 
burg, Va. ; Reuel  W.  Furlong,  killed  in  action  at  Rappahannock  Station,  Va., 
Nov.  7,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  John  D.  McFarland,  Adjutant,  Aug.  12,  1862,  of 
disease;  Lyman  H.  Wilkins,  killed  in  action  at  Rappahannock  Station,  Va., 
Nov.  7,  1863;  James  B.  McKinley,  killed  in  action  at  Rappahannock  Station, 
Va.,  Nov.  7,  1863;  Henry  H.  Waite,  Nov.  13,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in 
action  at  Rappahannock  Station,  Va. ; Lindroff  W.  Smith,  killed  in  action  at 
Spotsylvania,  Va.,  May  12,  1864;  James  M.  Norris,  killed  in  action  at  Spot- 
sylvania, Va.,  May  12,  1864;  George  P.  Blanchard,  died  Aug.  6,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  May  10. 

Second  Lieutenant:  Isaac  C.  Campbell,  killed  in  action  at  Spotsyl- 
vania, Va.,  May  10,  1864. 

Surgeon:  Freeland  S.  Holmes,  June  23,  1863,  of  disease. 

Promoted  and  Transferred  out  of  Regiment. 

Colonel  Hiram  Burnham,  Apr.  1,  1864,  to  Brigadier-General  of  Vols. ; 
killed  in  action  Sept.  28,  1864. 

Transferred:  Captains:  Edward  Williams,  July  14,  1864,  to  Seventh 
Maine,  and  to  First  Veteran  regiment,  discharged  for  disability;  Charles  T. 
Withered,  July  14,  1864,  to  Seventh  Maine,  and  Sept.  20,  1864,  to  First  Vet- 
eran regiment,  commissioned  Major,  not  mustered; — brevet  Major,  Oct.  19, 
1864,  muster-out  June  28,  1865;  Alexander  B.  Sumner,  July  14,  1864,  to 
Seventh  Maine,  and  Sept.  20,  1864,  to  First  Veterans,  pro.  Major; — brevet 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Apr.  2,  1865,  discharged  June  16,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant:  Adjutant  William  H.  Coan,  July  14,  1864,  to  Seventh 


ROSTER  OF  THE  SIXTH  REGIMENT. 


429 


Maine,  and  after  to  First  Maine  Veteran  regiment,  discharged  for  disability 
Oct.  29,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Ira  P.  Wing,  July  20,  1864,  to  Seventh  Maine,  and 
after  to  First  Veterans,  pro.  to  First  Lieutenant,  muster-out  June  28,  1865; 
John  B.  Waid,  July,  1864,  to  Seventh  Maine,  and  after  to  First  Maine  Vet- 
erans, pro.  to  First  Lieutenant  and  comm’d  Captain,  muster-out  June  28,  1865. 

Discharged. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Benjamin  F.  Harris,  July  19,  1864,  for  disa- 
bility, comm’d  Colonel,  not  mustered, — Major  Fourth  regiment  Vet.  Reserve 
corps,  brevet  Brigadier-General  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865. 

Major:  George  Fuller,  July  28,  1864,  for  disability  from  wounds,  com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel,  not  mustered. 

Adjutant:  First  Lieutenant  Charles  A.  Clark,  Feb.  11,  1864,  for  disa- 
bility from  wounds,  appointed  Captain  and  A.  A.  G.  of  Vols.,  assigned  to 
staff  of  Gen.  Hiram  Burnham,  discharged  U.  S.  service  Oct.  26,  1864; — brevet 
Lieutenant-Colonel  U.  S.  Vols.,  recipient  of  medal  of  honor. 

Captains:  Albert  G.  Burton,  Sept.  10,  1861;  Benjamin  J.  Buck,  Nov.  6, 
1863;  George  W.  Burnham,  May  20,  1864. 

First  Lieutenant:  Simon  Pottle,  2d,  by  reason  of  wounds,  Feb. 
13,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Henry  H.  Chamberlain,  by  reason  of  wounds, 
Mar.  25,  1S64;  Horace  G.  Jacobs,  by  reason  of  wounds,  May  28,  1864. 

Assistant  Surgeon:  John  Baker,  Oct.  26,  1861. 

Resigned. 

Colonel:  Abner  Knowles,  Dec.  11,  1861. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Charles  H.  Chandler,  Mar.  9,  1863. 

Captains:  Moses  W.  Brown,  Sept.  16,  1861;  Joseph  Snowman,  Jan.  15, 
1862;  William  N.  Lysett,  July  13,  1862;  Isaac  Frazier,  July  19,  1862;  Theodore 
Cary,  Feb.  12,  1863;  William  H.  Stanchfield,  Apr.  6,  1863;  Charles  F.  Stone, 
Nov.  5,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  Isaac  Strickland,  Quartermaster,  Sept.  20,  1861;  Otis 
W.  Kent,  Nov.  5,  1861;  Henry  R.  Soper,  Jan.  4,  1862;  Virgil  P.  Wardwell, 
May  30,  1862;  John  M.  Lincoln,  Aug.  8,  1862;  Frank  C.  Pierce,  Sept.  26, 
1862;  Isaac  Morrill,  Dec.  10,  1862;  Benjamin  M.  Flint,  Mar.  24,  1863;  Albert 
M.  Murch,  Mar.  29,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Daniel  W.  Freeze,  Jan.  12,  1862;  Charles  Day, 
Feb.  26,  1862;  Milton  Frazier,  July  19,  1862;  Hiram  B.  Sproul,  July  20,  1862; 
George  H.  Norton,  Aug.  2,  1862;  George  Roberts,  Oct.  7,  1862. 

Surgeon:  Eugene  F.  Sanger,  Mar.  19,  1862, — promoted  Brigade  Sur- 
geon, brevetted  Lieut.-Colonel  U.  S.  Vols.  Assistant  Surgeons:  George 
W.  Martin,  July  16,  1862;  Alden  Blossom,  Apr.  16,  1863. 

Chaplain:  Zenas  Thompson,  July  15,  1862. 

Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

Major  Frank  Pierce,  dis.  Feb.  25,  1862. 


430 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


MONUMENT 

OF 

SEVENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

The  monument  of  the  Seventh  Maine  regiment,  designed  by  General 
Selden  Connor,  stands  upon  a high  point  east  of  Rock  Creek  and  marks  the 
position  held  by  the  infantry  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  Union  army.  It 
consists  of  a large,  rough  granite  bowlder  upon  which  is  carved,  as  if  resting 
against  it,  the  shield  of  the  National  coat-of-arms,  its  thirteen  stars  and  stripes 
sculptured  in  relief,  bearing  in  its  centre  the  Greek  cross  of  the  Sixth  corps. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  6 feet  6 inches  by  3 feet  3 inches  by  2 feet; 
tablet,  5 feet  6 inches  by  2 feet  3 inches  by  7 feet.  Total  height,  9 feet. 

Upon  the  cross  and  base  are  the  following  inscriptions: — 

7th 

Maine  Infantry 

+ 

3rd  Brig.  2nd  Div. 

6th 

Corps 

July  3d,  1863. 


SEVENTH  MAINE  REGIMENT, 

THIRD  BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVISION,  SIXTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


THE  Seventh  Maine  Infantry  was  attached  to  the  Second 
division,  commanded  by  Gen.  A.  P.  Howe,  in  Neill’s  brig- 
ade. It  had  been  mustered-in  August  22,  18(31,  and  bore 
upon  its  flag  the  names  of  many  of  the  greatest  battles  of  the 
war.  After  Williamsburg,  General  McClellan  had  thanked  it 
personally  ; after  Antietam  he  had  sent  it  home  to  recruit  with  a 
personal  letter  expressing  admiration  for  its  gallant  charge  on 
that  field.  After  recruiting  the  regiment  was  consolidated  into 
five  companies,  and  by  command  of  the  War  Department  sent 
to  the  front  under  command  of  Lieut. -Col.  Selden  Connor,  an 
accomplished  officer.  At  the  second  battle  of  Fredericksburg 
the  regiment  lost  heavily  in  the  charge  on  Marye’s  Heights. 
Upon  arriving  at  Gettysburg  it  numbered  about  two  hundred 
officers  and  men.  Lieut. -Colonel  Connor  was  the  only  field 
officer  with  the  regiment  at  this  time  (a) . Major  T.  W.  Hyde 
was  serving  on  the  staff  of  General  Sedgwick,  commander  of 
the  Sixth  corps,  as  Provost  Marshal  General.  He  accompanied 
General  Neill  and  Colonel  Connor  when  they  rode  forward  to 
reconnoitre  the  ground  which  the  Seventh  occupied. 

July  1st  the  regiment  was  at  Manchester  with  the  Sixth 
corps.  It  began  the  march  to  Gettysburg  about  midnight,  sev- 
eral hours  later  than  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Maine.  The  shoes  of 
the  men  were  badly  worn  by  the  marches  through  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  and  this  lack  of  proper  equipment  added  greatly  to 
the  hardships  of  this,  the  longest  and  most  memorable  of  its 
forced  marches. 

Marching  the  remainder  of  the  night  and  all  day  July  2d 
until  about  5 o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  soldiers  of  Howe’s 

(a)  Colonel  Mason  and  companies  A.  E,  G and  H were  at  Portland,  Me.,  at  this 
time  on  recruiting  service.  The  other  six  companies  were  at  Gettysburg. 


432 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


division  at  last  arrived  on  the  field.  In  spite  of  their  hunger 
and  weariness,  at  the  sound  of  the  battle  they  moved  forward 
with  a " dashing  readiness  ” which  excited  the  admiration  of 
their  superiors  (a) . Neill’s  brigade  was  stationed  in  line  on 
Power’s  Hill,  considerably  in  the  rear  of  the  Union  centre. 
They  were  hardly  in  line  before  disheartened  stragglers  from 
the  front  began  to  arrive,  with  dismal  prophecies  of  the  fate  of 
the  army.  But  on  the  right  was  the  reassuring  spectacle  of  the 
fresh  columns  of  the  Twelfth  corps  moving  into  the  battle, 
while  the  Sixth  corps  was  already  in  position  to  stay  the  Con- 
federate advance  should  it  extend  so  far.  The  scene  on  the 
field  at  this  hour  was  terrible.  A great  cloud  of  smoke  hung 
over  the  brow  of  a slight  eminence  in  front  of  the  Seventh’s 
line.  Upon  the  black  linings  of  this  cloud  continually  played 
the  flashings  of  a battery  which  was  thundering  at  the  enemy 
from  the  summit  of  the  knoll. 

How  the  Confederate  advance  was  stopped  before  it  reached 
the  Sixth  corps  lines  has  been  told  already.  That  night  the 
Seventh  Maine  had  very  little  rest,  being  moved  about  from  one 
threatened  point  to  another.  In  the  morning  of  July  3d,  when 
the  Twelfth  corps  returned  to  recover  the  works  which  they 
had  left  vacant  the  evening  before  to  go  to  Sickles’  assistance, 
Lieut. -Colonel  Connor  was  sent  with  the  Seventh  Maine  and 
43d  N.  Y.  to  extend  the  line  on  the  Twelfth  corps’  right,  east 
of  Rock  Creek,  in  order  to  prevent  a Confederate  advance  to 
the  Baltimore  Pike.  This  brought  the  two  regiments  on  the 
extreme  right  of  the  Union  line,  connecting  with  the  cavalry 
which  was  watching  the  country  beyond. 

After  the  two  regiments  had  crossed  Rock  Creek  and  moved 
up  to  the  Baltimore  Pike,  General  Neill  with  his  staff  and 
orderlies  and  Lieut. -Colonel  Connor  rode  up  to  the  brow  of  a 
slight  elevation  in  the  front.  From  this  point  a small  house 
was  visible  on  an  eminence  beyond.  General  Neill  suggested 
that  it  would  be  well  to  occupy  the  house.  But  immediately 
the  party  received  a sharp  volley  from  Confederate  skirmishers 
in  and  around  the  house.  At  this  General  Neill  said,  "Exercise 
your  discretion,  Colonel  Connor  ; I will  bring  up  the  rest  of  the 

(a)  Report  o£  General  Howe,  18G3. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


433 


brigade.”  Colonel  Connor  saw  a stone-wall  lying  about  a hun- 
dred yards  down  a slight  declivity  in  front.  Telling  his  men 
that  they  Avould  do  well  to  make  the  distance  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible, he  gave  the  command  to  advance  to  the  Avail.  It  was  in 
this  advance  and  in  a sharp  skirmish  to  the  left  that  the  Seventh 
met  its  loss  at  Gettysburg.  Two  men  were  killed  or  mortally 
wounded,  and  live  wounded. 

The  orders  to  the  regiment  Avere  to  hold  the  line  thus  taken 
but  not  to  force  the  fighting,  as  General  Meade  intended  only 
to  hold  the  line  in  this  place.  The  Seventh  remained  there  all 
day,  sustaining  a skirmish  fire.  It  is  at  this  position  that  the 
monument  of  the  regiment  stands. 

On  the  morning  of  July  5th  the  regiment  followed  the 
direct  line  of  Lee’s  retreat  through  Monterey  Springs  Gap 
to  Waynesboro. 


PARTICIPANTS. 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Selden  Connor,  Fairfield,  in  the  field  commanding. 
Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Charles  H.  Hasey,  Houlton. 

Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  Charles  B.  Whittemore,  Augusta. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Ai  Waterhouse,  Gorham. 

Chaplain,  Collamore  Purrington,  Presque  Isle. 

Sergeant-Major,  Perry  Greenleaf,  Mercer. 

Commissary-Sergeant,  Ferdinand  S.  Richards,  Hallowed. 

Acting  Hospital  Steward,  Thomas  B.  Powers,  Private  Co.  D. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Major  Thomas  W.  Hyde, 
Bath,  as  Provost  Marshal  of  Sixth  corps,  staff  of  General  Sedgwick;  Colonel 
Mason  and  Surgeon  Eveleth,  also  Quartermaster-Sergeant  Hooper  and  Hos- 
pital Steward  Sanborn,  were  on  recruiting  service  at  Portland,  Me. 

Company  A. 

First  Lieutenant  Timothy  Swan,  Houlton,  on  duty  with  company  C. 

Second  Lieutenant  Church  E.  Gates,  Calais,  detached,  acting  A.  D.  C.  on 
staff  of  General  Howe,  commanding  division. 

The  company,  as  an  organization,  was  at  Portland,  Me.,  on  recruiting  service. 

Company  B. 

(Including  2 present  sick.) 

Captain,  James  P.  Jones,  China. 

First  Lieutenant,  Eli  H.  Webber,  China. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  John  C.  McKenney,  Phippsburg, 

Xantheus  A.  Withee,  Norridgewock,  John  F.  Doe,  Berwick. 


434 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Crossman  Timmins,  Bath, 
Eben  Dinsmore,  Newport, 
George  H.  True,  Sangerville. 

Atkinson,  Leroy,  Hartl&nd, 
Bragdon,  Francis  M.,  Poland, 


CORPORALS. 

Thomas  Lowell,  Cornville, 

Michael  H.  Smith,  Lincoln,  color  g’d, 

PRIVATES. 

Austin,  Charles  L.,  Vassalboro, 
Burkett,  Miles,  Appleton, 


Butterfield,  George  W.,  Presque  Isle,  Clark,  Timothy,  Boothbay, 


Clouquet,  Lewis,  Skowhegan, 
Davis,  Addison  R.,  Appleton, 
Greenlaw,  Eben,  Calais, 

Hunter,  John  J.,  Biddeford, 

Linnell,  John,  Skowhegan, 
Mahoney,  John,  Augusta, 
McAlister,  George,  Tremont, 
Morton,  Abraham,  Palmyra, 
Parker,  William  B.,  Skowhegan, 
Rowell,  Silas  R.,  Eddington, 
Thompson,  Frederick  G.,  Hermon, 


Crabtree,  Samuel,  Jr.,  Appleton, 
Givins,  Thomas,  Portland, 

Hawes,  Charles  B.,  Union, 

Leavitt,  Calvin,  Oldtown, 

Littlefield,  George  H.,  Skowhegan, 
Malone,  John,  Houlton, 

McAntee,  Hugh,  Tremont, 

Noyes,  David,  Pownal, 

Rogers,  Thomas,  Bath, 

Stephens,  Joseph  G.,  Athens, 
Thompson,  John,  Hermon, 


Wakefield,  Alonzo  B.,  Gardiner. 

Wagoner:  Seward  Merrill,  West  Gardiner. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Timothy  T. 
Merrow,  Vassalboro,  Cowan’s  ist  N.  Y.  batt’y;  John  C.  Elders,  Belfast, 
regt’l  pioneer;  Silas  Hamilton,  Phippsburg,  hosp.  nurse;  Ira  W.  Hatch, 
Presque  Isle,  hosp.  cook;  Robert  Jackson,  Portland,  div.  provo.  g’d;  William 
McDonald,  Tremont,  teamster  div.  h’dqrs;  Alanson  H.  Smith,  Harmony, 
teamster  supply  train;  Isaac  T.  Wills,  No.  2,  R.  2,  amb.  corps. 


Company  C. 

(Including  1 present  sick.) 

Captain,  Henry  F.  Hill,  Presque  Isle. 

[First  Lieutenant, Timothy  Swan  of  company  A, temporarily  with  company  B.] 
Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  Lowell,  Oldtown. 

sergeants. 

First  Sergeant,  Warren  T.  Ring,  Oldtown, 

Eli  McLaughlin,  Oldtown,  Ira  F.  Stinchfield,  Lincoln. 

CORPORALS. 

Moses  W.  McKay,  Oldtown,  Francis  Laing,  Lincoln, 

Nyron  B.  Roberts,  Lincoln,  Calvin  R.  Gullifer,  Oldtown, 

Alvin  E.  True,  Lincoln. 


PRIVATES. 


Barker,  Josiah  H.,  Bangor, 
Bicknell,  Benjamin  F.,  Bangor, 
Carney,  James,  Oldtown, 
Dutton,  Folsom,  Oldtown, 
Hanscomb,  Frank  O.,  Milo, 
Jacobs,  Wayland  F.,  Oldtown, 
Littlefield,  Joel,  Winterport, 
Neddo,  Joseph,  Oldtown, 
Stetson,  George  A.,  Bangor, 
Weymouth,  Jacob,  Oldtown, 


Betters,  Felix,  Oldtown, 

Burton,  Hiram  L.,  Bucksport, 
Colson,  Anson,  Winterport, 
Flemming,  John,  Lincoln, 

Hull,  Oliver,  Oldtown, 

Licum,  Thomas,  Deer  Isle, 
Neddo,  John,  Oldtown, 

Oakes,  Benjamin,  Oldtown, 
Turner,  Adrian  E.,  Lincoln, 
Wooster,  Daniel  M.,  Glenburn. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


435 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Thos.  Doughty, 
Oldtown,  William  McKenney,  Oldtown,  and  William  W.  Pomroy,  Cornville, 
teamsters  div.  h’dqrs;  Thomas  Fish,  Oldtown,  and  William  W.  Harris,  Old- 
town,  teamsters  at  brig,  h’dqrs;  Madison  C.  Rowe,  Oldtown,  amb.  corps. 

Company  D. 

Captain,  Joseph  E.  Walker,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  H.  Buker,  Bangor. 

sergeants. 

Eben  True,  Westbrook,  Edward  Sisk,  Martinsburg,  N.  Y. 

corporals. 

Joseph  F.  Call,  Richmond,  Benjamin  F.  Gay,  Bath, 

William  H.  Dunbrach,  Halifax,  N.  S.,  on  color-guard. 


privates. 


Batchelder,  Albert  J.,  W.  Gardiner, 
Call,  Fred,  Calais, 

Coolbroth,  George  F.,  Portland, 
Coolen,  James,  Southport, 

Dillman,  Jeremiah,  Ireland, 

Foster,  James  E.,  Portland, 

Grover,  Abraham,  Oldtown, 
Hodsdon,  William  B.,  Brunswick, 
Kenniston,  Horace,  Conway,  N.  H., 
King,  Richard,  Portland, 
McLaughlin,  Amos  K.,  Dennysville, 
Meader,  George,  Litchfield, 

Peavey,  Jasper  W.,  York, 

Piper,  George  W.,  Hallowell, 
Ridlon,  Nathaniel,  Saco, 

Rush,  William  B.,  Lewiston, 
Wadsworth,  Frank,  Houlton, 


Brown,  Josiah  S.,  Linneus, 

Cameron,  Joseph,  Hallowed, 
Cooledge,  Roscoe,  Dixfield, 

Crowed,  James,  Bath, 

Foote,  John  B.,  So.  Berwick, 
Gammon,  William  A.,  Presque  Isle, 
Hannaford,  Joseph,  Presque  Isle, 
Jackson,  Randall  W.,  Bridgewater, 
Kimball,  Andrew  J.,  Patten, 

Lombard,  Thomas  C.,  Litchfield, 
Marr,  Jared,  Georgetown, 

Palmer,  Moses,  Jr.,  Patten, 

Pembroke, Charles  P.,Gageboro,  N.  S. 
Ridlon,  Charles  E.,  Saco, 

Rounds,  Charles  H.,  Portland, 
Syphers,  Albion,  Littleton, 

Wayland,  James,  Saco, 


Williams,  James  D.,  Houlton. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Wagoner  William  Barrows, 
Blanchard,  at  corps  h’dqrs.  Privates:  Joseph  E.  Babb,  West  Gardiner,  and 
James  Nugent,  Portland,  regtl.  orderlies;  William  A.  Brown,  Brunswick, 
and  Scott  Sally,  Saco,  musicians;  Charles  Bennett,  Bath,  corps  h’dqrs; 
George  R.  Coney,  Oldtown,  regtl.  mail  carrier;  Latimas  C.  Dillingham,  Bid- 
deford,  brig,  joiner;  Robert  Dingley,  Hallowed,  company  cook;  Benjamin  F. 
Flanders,  Gardiner,  Conway’s  battery;  George  W.  Haskell,  Weston,  mule 
driver;  Thomas  King,  Bath,  amb.  corps;  Simeon  Knights,  Portland,  and 
John  Powers,  teamsters  div.  supply  train;  George  L.  Larkey,  Calais,  John 
Shields,  Linneus,  and  Edward  C.  Snell,  Houlton,  regtl.  hosp.  nurses;  Dennis 
Mahoney,  Boston,  Mass.,  regtl.  tailor;  Harvey  Mitchell,  Biddeford,  regtl. 
marker;  John  Mullen,  Houlton,  teamster  brig,  h’dqrs;  Thomas  B.  Powers, 
Presque  Isle,  acting  hosp.  steward. 

Company  E. 

Second  Lieutenant  Augustus  F.  Emery,  Fairfield,  on  duty  with  company  K. 
The  company  as  an  organization  was  at  Portland,  Me.,  on  recruiting  service. 


436 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Company  F. 

(Including  3 present  sick.) 

Captain,  Stephen  C.  Fletcher,  Skowhegan. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  McGinley,  Houlton. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Marcellus  Vining,  Windsor, 

Henry  Welch,  Madison,  Romandel  Fuller,  New  Vineyard, 

Jeremiah  H.  Moore,  Kennebunk,  Robert  T.  Crommett,  Canaan. 


CORPORALS. 

Lot  Sturtevant,  Monmouth,  Woodbury  D.  Hatch,  Cape  Elizabeth, 

Chas.  H.  Waterhouse,  Cape  Elizabeth,  John  Oakes,  Cape  Elizabeth, 

Charles  W.  Jones,  Portland,  Horatio  P.  Fernald,  Albion, 

John  Hart,  Portland,  John  N.  Messer,  Waterville. 


Adams,  David,  Westbrook, 
Bluefield,  Simon,  Portland, 
Brown,  John  H.,  Bangor, 

Carey,  Martin,  Lancashire,  Eng., 
Clark,  Zebulon,  Haynesville, 
Cook,  John  A.,  Embden, 

Cripps,  Amos  C.,  Portland, 
Eames,  Danville,  Madison, 
Ezekiel,  Henry  I.,  Portland, 
Foster,  Israel  A.,  Portland, 
Frazier,  Peter,  Solon, 

Granville,  Henry,  Boston,  Mass., 
Gustens,  John  R.  B.,  Ireland, 
Holmes,  Alonzo  S.,  Bath, 

Jones,  William,  Rockland, 
Leeman,  George  B.,  Abbot, 
Mabury,  Grinfield  B.,  Casco, 
Messer,  Orrin  R.,  Athens, 
Palmer,  Albion  D.,  Thomaston, 
Prince,  Henry  L.,  Bath, 

Shorey,  Franklin  D.,  Palermo, 
Smith,  James  W.,  Fayette, 
Stevens,  Charles  B.,  Portland, 
Sullivan,  James,  St.  John,  N.  B., 
Trundy,  William  T.,  Portland, 


PRIVATES. 

Adams,  William,  Cape  Elizabeth, 
Brown,  Henry  J.,  Bath, 

Buswell,  George  L.,  Dexter, 

Clark,  Frederick,  London,  Eng., 
Coffee,  Dennis,  Portland, 

Cowen,  Henry,  Bangor, 

Daggett,  Wilson  D.,  Hodgdon, 

Ellis,  William,  Sidney, 

Field,  Eben  M.,  Windham, 

Franks,  Henry  D.,  Rockingham, 
Graham,  John,  Ireland, 

Green,  George  A.,  Portland, 

Hayes,  John,  Portland, 

Humes,  Alexander,  Eastport, 

Lee,  John  T.,  Cape  Elizabeth, 

Lent,  James,  Richmond, 

Maxwell,  John  B.,  Canaan, 

Morrill,  DeWitt  C.,  Bangor, 

Pocket,  John,  Bath, 

Reynolds,  Simeon  O.,  Presque  Isle, 
Smellay,  Alphonzo  B.,  Portland, 
Spaulding,  Alonzo,  Carratunk  pi., 
Stevens,  Edward  L.,  Belfast, 
Thompson,  ElbridgeG.  C.,  Presque  I., 
Washburn,  Charles  E.,  China, 


Young,  Samuel,  New  Portland. 

Musician:  Oramandel  Robinson,  China. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Isaiah  Allen, 
Lincoln,  q’rm’r  dept.;  John  R.  Begg,  Portland,  regtl.  teamster;  George 
Henderson,  Hartland,  comp’ycook;  Berthur  Lyons,  Hodgdon,  regtl.  pioneer. 


Company  G. 

This  company  as  an  organization  was  at  Portland,  Me.,  on  recruiting  service. 

Company  H. 

This  company  as  an  organization  was  at  Portland,  Me.  ,on  recruiting  service. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  PARTICIPANTS. 


437 


Company  I. 

(Including  3 present  sick.) 

Captain,  John  B.  Cook,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Franklin  Glazier,  Jr.,  Hallowell. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Hiram  Church,  Presque  Isle. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  John  E.  Bailey,  Frederickton,  N.  B., 

Henry  F.  Daggett,  Foxcroft,  Charles  H.  Church,  Presque  Isle, 

Henry  M.  Eaton,  Presque  Isle,  Loran  B.Wade,  Presque I.,color-sergt. 


CORPORALS. 

Thomas  B.  Rose,  Presque  Isle,  Willis  T.  Jordan,  Presque  Isle, 

James  Phair,  Presque  Isle,  Albion  Hardy,  Hampden, 

Josiah  Smith,  Garland. 

PRIVATES. 


Briggs,  Duncan,  Buxton, 

Clark,  Robert,  St.  John,  N.  B., 
Conlen,  Edward,  Worcester, 

Drew,  George,  Jr.,  Portland, 
Gilchrist,  David,  King’s  Clear, 
Hardy,  William  B.,  Abbot, 

Lander,  Charles,  Monticello, 
Littlefield,  Thomas  D. , Winterport, 
Mclntire,  George,  Hodgdon, 
Morrison,  Samuel  R.,  Bath, 
Plaisted,  William  S. , Presque  Isle, 
Snow,  Charles,  Hampden, 

Stevens,  Rufus  K.,  Hudson, 
Walker,  James,  Woodstock, 


Chandler,  Julius  C.,  Mapleton, 
Condon,  Sumner  H.,  Bangor, 
Davis,  Richard,  Bangor, 

Eddy,  Charles  H.,  Clifton, 

Gilman,  Henry  H.,  Presque  Isle, 
Hodgkins,  George  W.,  Stetson, 
Leeman,  Hibbard  S.,  Dexter, 
McCollor,  James,  Madison, 
McNeal,  Stephen  A.,  Presque  Isle, 
Mower,  Benjamin  F.,  Greene, 
Reed,  Oscar  W.,  Oldtown, 

Staples,  Greenlief  B.,  Glenburn, 
Stinson,  Warren  B.,  Albion, 
Worcester,  Charles  S.,  Glenburn. 


MUSICIANS. 

Jeremiah  Getchell,  Presque  Isle,  Reuel  D.  Worcester,  Hermon. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  Lewis  E.  Hardy, 
Hampden,  div.  provo.  guard.  Privates:  Hiram  Baker,  Presque  Isle,  corps 
h’dqrs;  Edward  F.  Garland,  Winslow,  amb.  corps;  Shepley  C.  Gerow, 
Hodgdon,  regtl.  pioneer;  John  Isham,  Bangor,  div.  train  master;  Benjamin 
F.  Mann,  Providence,  and  Adelbert  G.  Webster,  Bucksport,  regtl.  hospital 
nurses;  Harrison  Wescott,  Ashland,  company  cook. 


Company  K. 

(Including  1 present  sick.) 

First  Lieutenant,  Andrew  M.  Benson,  Oldtown,  commanding  company. 
[Second  Lieut.  Augustus  F.  Emery  of  company  E on  duty  with  K.] 

SERGEANTS. 

Silas  E.  Hinckley,  Monmouth,  James  W.  Libby,  Leeds, 

Charles  H.  Hinckley,  Monmouth,  Charles  C.  Ellis,  Monmouth. 

CORPORALS. 

James  W.  Estey,  Calais,  color  guard,  Richard  Sculley,  Castleton,  N.  B., 
Charles  E.  Plummer,  Monmouth,  Edward  Cobb,  Yarmouth, 

Dennis  Harris,  Greene,  Allison  C.  Crockett,  Abbot. 


438 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


PRIVATES. 


Broad,  Augustus,  Unity, 
Clements,  Charles,  Portland, 
Dunning,  Robert  A.,  Brunswick, 
Farrar,  Warren,  Wellington, 
Ingalls,  George  B.,  Bridgton, 
Luce,  Albert  A.,  Burnham, 
Murray,  William,  Portland, 
Plissey,  Wesley,  Fort  Fairfield, 
Smith,  William  H.,  Edmunds, 
Sullivan,  James,  Houlton, 


Carr,  Samuel  M.,  Liberty, 
Conners,  George  W.,  Littleton, 
Fargo,  Elisha  S.,  Augusta, 
Howard,  Bradford  T. , Litchfield, 
Johnson,  Capen  W.,  Houlton, 
Morgan,  George,  Lewiston, 
Myrick,  Edward,  Unity, 

Savage,  William  H.,  Solon, 
Stone,  Joseph  H.,  Chelsea, 
Thibadeau,  Albert  B.,  Houlton. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Captain  John  W.  Chan- 
ning,  Fairfield,  corps  h’dqrs.  Second  Lieut.  Henry  W.  Farrar,  Bangor, 
General  Sedgwick’s  staff.  Privates:  Howard  A.  P.  Reynolds,  Burnham, 
Cowan’s  battery;  Melville  Marshall,  Bradford,  pack  mule  driver;  Hiram  S. 
Pollard,  Fairfield,  amb,  corps;  Thomas  P.  Smith,  Oldtown,  regtl.  hosp.  nurse. 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

Company  B. 

Private  Thomas  O’Neal,  wounded  July  3. 

Company  C. 

Private  Folsom  Dutton,  missing  July  2. 

Company  F. 

Private  Martin  Carey,  wounded  July  3. 

Private  Charles  H.  Waterhouse,  wounded  July  3. 

Company  I. 

Corporal  Willis  T.  Jordan,  wounded  July  3. 

Company  K. 

Corporal  Richard  Sculley,  wounded  July  3;  died  of  wounds  July  4,  1863. 
Private  Wesley  Plissey,  wounded  July  3. 

Private  William  H.  Smith,  wounded  July  3;  died  of  wounds  Sept.  1,  1863. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

BY  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SELDEN  CONNOR. 

The  Seventh  Maine  regiment  of  infantry  was  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  at  Augusta,  August  21,  1861. 
The  companies  composing  it  represented  many  sections  of  the 
state  : two  were  from  Aroostook  county,  two  from  Kennebec, 
two  from  Penobscot,  and  one  from  each  of  the  counties  of  York, 
Cumberland,  Sagadahoc  and  Somerset.  Other  counties  con- 
tributed largely  to  their  rolls. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


439 


The  following  was  the  original  organization  : — 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  Edwin  C.  Mason,  Portland. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Selden  Connor,  Fairfield. 

Major,  Thomas  W.  Hyde,  Bath. 

Adjutant,  Elijah  D.  Johnson,  Lewiston. 

Quartermaster,  John  K.  Russell,  Skowhegan. 

Surgeon,  Thomas  C.  Barker,  Deer  Isle. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Francis  M.  Eveleth,  Presque  Isle. 
Chaplain,  James  A.  Varney,  China. 

Sergeant-Major,  Andrew  W.  Fuller,  Winslow. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Charles  B.  Whittemore,  Augusta. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Franklin  Glazier,  Jr.,  Hallowell. 
Hospital  Steward,  Albert  L.  Frye,  Lewiston. 

Drum-major,  Alonzo  Guinam,  Houlton. 

Fife-major,  George  M.  Bodge,  Naples. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  John  W.  Freese,  Houlton. 

First  Lieutenant,  Timothy  Swan,  Houlton. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  G.  Butler,  Presque  Isle. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  James  P.  Jones,  China. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  L.  Haskell,  Poland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Eli  H.  Webber,  China. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  Charles  D.  Gilmore,  Bangor. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  A.  Bachelder,  Oldtown. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Albert  P.  Titcomb,  Lincoln. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Henry'  A.  Dalton,  Readfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  Henry'  S.  Hagar,  Richmond. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  E.  Morse,  Bath. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  John  W.  Channing,  Fairfield.- 

First  Lieutenant,  Albert  A.  Nickerson,  Fairfield. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Augustus  F.  Emery,  Fairfield. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  William  Ml  Cushman,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  M.  Andrews,  Biddeford. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  E.  Walker,  Portland. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Charles  H.  Gilman,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  B.  Knight,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Simeon  Walton,  Cape  Elizabeth. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  Edward  H.  Cass,  Bangor. 

First  Lieutenant,  Thomas  S.  Cates,  Bangor. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Henry’  C.  Snow,  Hampden. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Henry  Rolfe,  Maysville. 

First  Lieutenant,  Hovey  Austin,  Presque  Isle. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Hasey,  Houlton. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  Greenleaf  K.  Norris,  Monmouth. 

First  Lieutenant,  Granville  P.  Cochrane,  Monmouth. 
Second  Lieutenant,  John  B.  Cook,  Lewiston. 


440 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Colonel  Mason  was  a Captain  in  the  17th  U.  S.  infantry, 
stationed  at  Fort  Preble.  Lieut.-Colonel  Connor  had  seen  ser- 
vice in  the  1st  Vermont  Volunteers. 

The  Seventh  left  Augusta  on  the  23d  of  August,  under 
command  of  Major  Hyde,  Colonel  Mason  not  having  received 
authority  from  the  War  Department  to  accept  a commission 
in  the  volunteer  service,  and  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  having 
received  leave  of  absence  for  a fortnight.  On  the  way  orders 
were  received  to  stop  in  Baltimore,  where  it  encamped  at  Rull- 
man’s  beer  garden  and  then  at  Patterson  Park. 

On  the  5th  of  September  Lieut. -Col.  Thomas  H.  Marshall, 
Fourth  Maine,  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  the  Seventh,  and 
within  a few  days  thereafter  assumed  command.  September 
16  the  Seventh  was  ordered  to  Murray  Hill,  where  it  threw 
up  the  earthwork  called  Fort  Marshall  after  its  Colonel. 
Colonel  Marshall  was  taken  ill  with  fever  soon  after  joining 
the  regiment,  and  died  on  the  25th  of  October.  He  was  an 
energetic  and  able  man,  and  the  soldierly  aptitudes  he  showed 
in  the  short  time  he  was  in  command  of  the  regiment  indi- 
cated that  he  would  have  distinguished  himself  if  his  life  had 
been  spared. 

On  the  day  of  Colonel  Marshall’s  death  the  regiment  broke 
camp  and  changed  its  station  to  Washington.  At  Washington 
the  Seventh  was  encamped  at  Ivalorama  and  was  in  General 
Casey’s  provisional  brigade.  On  the  7t,hof  November  the  reg- 
iment marched  into  Virginia  and  joined  the  Third  brigade  of 
Gen.  W.  F.  ("Baldy”)  Smith’s  division,  near  Lewinsville. 

Colonel  Mason  assumed  command  on  the  10th  of  November, 
under  his  commission  of  November  5,  which  he  had  been 
authorized  to  accept.  During  the  month  or  more  between 
the  beo-innino-  of  the  illness  of  Colonel  Marshall  and  Colonel 

o o 

Mason’s  assumption  of  command,  the  regiment  was  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.-Colonel  Connor. 

Through  the  autumn  and  following  winter  the  regiment,  in 
common  with  its  fellows  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  was 
constantly  employed  in  drill,  guard,  picket  and  fatigue  duty. 
Officers  and  men  were  animated  by  the  highest  esprit  de  corps, 
and  the  regiment  soon  took  rank  among  the  first  in  point  of 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


441 


discipline  and  drill.  It  suffered  severely  during  that  period 
from  that  great  scourge  of  new  levies  — measles.  The  disease 
broke  out  at  Baltimore,  and  continued  its  ravages  to  such  an 
extent  that  the  " Dead  March  ” was  heard  through  the  camp  with 
painful  frequency. 

A " reconnaissance  in  force  ” by  the  division  soon  after  the 
affair  which  the  Penn.  "Bucktails”  had  at  Drainesville  greatly 
elated  the  regiment  with  the  prospect  of  meeting  the  rebels,  and 
caused  it  to  turn  out  with  unwontedly  full  ranks.  Heroic  aspi- 
rations were  turned  to  disgust  when,  after  a march  of  a few 
miles,  a halt  was  made  and  a drill  was  ordered  by  the  brigade 
commander  to  keep  the  men  from  straying. 

A new  company,  nearly  a hundred  strong,  Stephen  C. 
Fletcher  of  Skowhegan,  Captain,  Lyman  M.  Shorey  of  Skow- 
hegan  and  L.  Byron  Crosby  of  Albion,  Lieutenants,  joined  the 
regiment  the  first  day  of  February  and  became  company  F in 
place  of  the  old  F,  disbanded. 

On  the  9th  of  March  the  army  of  the  Potomac  was  set  in 
motion.  The  Seventh  marched  out  from  its  winter  home, 
"Camp  Griffin,”  and  bivouacked  with  its  new  tentes  d'abri  near 
Fairfax  Court  House  until  the  14th,  when  it  marched  to  the 
outskirts  of  Alexandria.  On  the  23d  Smith’s  division  embarked 
on  transports  at  Alexandria  for  Fort  Monroe,  where  it  arrived 
and  disembarked  the  next  morning.  Several  reconnaissances 
served  to  furnish  the  troops  practice  for  the  serious  work 
now  imminent. 

The  advance  of  the  army  began  April  4.  The  left  column 
bivouacked  that  night  at  Young’s  Mills,  "relieving”  a force  of 
the  enemy  who  kindly  left  their  camp-fires  for  the  use  of  their 
successors.  The  next  day  the  Seventh  had  the  honor  to  form 
the  skirmish  line  for  the  column.  The  country  was  thickly 
wooded  for  the  most  part,  and  the  regiment  justly  won  great 
credit  for  the  skill  with  which  their  difficult  duty  was  performed. 
Whenever  an  open  space  was  reached  the  line  was  found  to  be 
perfect.  Lieutenant  Swan  and  Musician  Brown  on  the  extreme 
right  lost  touch  with  the  line  in  passing  some  obstruction  and 
fell  into  the  hands  of  an  outlying  force  of  the  enemy.  The  line 
was  brought  to  a halt  on  the  edge  of  a field  by  shells  from  the 


442 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


rebels’  works  a few  hundred  yards  distant,  on  the  opposite  side 
of  Warwick  Creek.  Joseph  Pepper,  a private,  was  cut  in  two 
by  a shell  — the  first  of  the  many  brave  fellows  destined  to  fall 
in  the  Peninsula  campaign.  The  Seventh  occupied  their  line 
in  skirmish  order,  and  as  a close  support  to  the  regiment  that 
relieved  them,  for  more  than  two  days,  exposed  to  the  shells 
and  canister  with  which  the  enemy  raked  their  ground  from  time 
to  time.  It  was  the  expectation  of  the  troops  in  the  front  line 
that  an  assault  would  lie  made  as  soon  as  the  army  could  be 
formed  for  that  purpose  ; but  none  was  attempted.  Siege  oper- 
ations were  begun  and  weeks  of  wearing  fatigue  duty  followed. 
Reconnaissances  by  our  forces  and  the  enemy’s  were  frequent 
occurrences.  On  one  occasion  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  took 
advantage  of  a slashing,  that  had  been  made  by  " superior 
authority  ” through  the  woods  in  front  of  our  picket-line  for  the 
protection  of  the  camp,  to  make  a near  approach  to  the  line  and 
shoot  down  several  of  the  Seventh  who  were  on  picket.  Lieu- 
tenant Morse  pursued  with  the ’support,  took  one  prisoner  and 
drove  the  enemy  back. 

Sunday,  May  4,  Captain  Ayres  fired  his  usual  morning 
gun  from  his  advanced  works  without  eliciting  the  usual 
response.  He  crossed  the  creek  and  found  the  rebel  camp 
deserted.  The  Third  brigade  was  at  once  ordered  to  cross  and 
ascertain,  if  possible,  the  whereabouts  of  our  troublesome  neigh- 
bors. Nothing  was  found  in  the  camp  but  many  defiant  mes- 
sages, written  on  boards  and  stuck  up  conspicuously.  On 
entering  the  rebel  camp  the  horse  of  Colonel  McKean,  77th  N. 
Y.,  stepped  on  something  that  made  a sharp  crack  which  on 
investigation  proved  to  have  been  caused  by  the  primer  of  a 
shell.  Fortunately  the  shell  was  not  ignited.  The  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  Seventh  was  sent  with  two  companies  to  recon- 
noitre along  the  road  taken  by  the  retreating  enemy.  The 
detachment  found  a dozen  or  more  torpedoes  buried  in  the  ruts 
of  the  road  and  near  bridges  ; one  was  so  arranged  that  pressure 
against  a pole  across  the  path  leading  to  a spring  would  have 
exploded  it.  The  work  of  detecting  and  unearthing  these  dan- 
gerous contrivances  was  so  thoroughly  done  that  no  one  was 
injured  by  them. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


443 


The  division  broke  camp  and  started  out  on  the  road  taken 
by  the  enemy  as  soon  as  willing  hands  could  make  the  necessary 
preparations.  The  close  of  the  day’s  march  at  near  nightfall 
found  it  on  the  held  of  Williamsburg,  where  Stoneman  had 
already  begun  fighting.  Orders  were  given  to  prepare  for  a 
moonlight  assault ; but  the  evening  was  dark  and  rainy,  and 
there  was  no  moonlight  and  no  assault.  The  following  day, 
the  5th,  the  Seventh  and  the  33d  N.  Y.  were  detached  from  the 
Third  brigade,  the  commander  of  which,  Gen.  J.  W.  Davidson, 
was  then  temporarily  absent,  and  attached  to  the  First  brigade, 
Gen.  W.  S.  Hancock.  With  these  two  regiments  and  the  Sixth 
Maine,  5th  Wis.  and  49th  Penn,  of  his  own  brigade,  and 
Wheeler’s  and  Kennedy’s  batteries,  the  latter  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Cowan,  Hancock  made  a detour  to  the  right  until 
the  York  River  was  almost  reached,  and  then  turned  to  the  left 
and  soon  came  to  a stream  where  a broad  dam  of  earth  had  made 
a considerable  pond.  At  the  opposite  end  of  the  dam  and  close 
to  it,  an  earthwork  on  a commanding  hillock  made  a formidable 
looking  tete  du  pont.  If  that  were  manned  by  even  a small 
force  it  would  be  a very  difficult  matter  to  make  a crossing. 
Evidently  it  was  not  known  whether  it  was  occupied  or  not, 
because  the  brigade  was  halted  until  scouts  signaled  that  it  was 
deserted.  As  soon  as  the  field  on  the  opposite  bank  was 
reached,  the  brigade  was  formed  in  a square  with  the  artillery 
in  the  centre,  and  in  this  formation  advanced  until  halted  on 
an  elevation  crowned  with  an  earthwork,  from  which  the  rebel 
work,  Fort  Magruder,  was  in  plain  sight  at  the  distance  of  less 
than  a mile.  The  brigade  was  on  the  flank  of  the  enemy  and 
within  sight  and  sound  of  the  raffing  battle.  But  Hancock’s 
force  was  too  small  to  undertake  a flank  attack  on  a force  of 
the  enemy  strong  enough  to  withstand  the  attacks  that  had 
been  made  upon  it  by  Hooker’s  and  Kearny’s  divisions  of  our 
troops,  reinforced  by  others.  He  availed  himself,  however,  to 
the  utmost  of  his  advantageous  position  by  sending  the  batteries 
supported  by  the  Sixth  Maine,  5th  Wis.  and  49th  Penn.,  to  an 
advanced  position  whence  they  made  it  very  uncomfortable 
for  the  enemy  within  and  about  the  fort.  Presently  the  skir- 
mishers became  engaged  with  those  of  the  enemy.  The  Seventh 


444 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


was  to  the  right  of  the  redoubt  with  skirmishers  out  to  protect 
the  flank,  and  a part  of  the  33d  N.  Y.  was  in  the  redoubt  on  its 
left  in  line.  For  some  hours  the  regiment  had  nothing  to  do 
but  watch  the  batteries  and  skirmishers.  All  at  once  the  scene 
changed.  Two  gray  lines  of  infantry  broke  by  the  flank  out 
of  the  woods  in  front  of  our  batteries  and  on  their  right,  crossed 
the  field  at  double-quick  and  bore  down  on  our  front  line.  The 
two  batteries  and  three  infantry  regiments  of  the  advanced  line 
kept  their  position  and  maintained  their  fire  until  the  enemy  was 
close  upon  them,  and  then  fell  back  in  order  and  slowly,  firing 
in  retreat  as  if  on  drill.  When  near  the  line  held  by  the  Sev- 
enth and  the  33d  N.  Y.  they  halted,  collected  their  skirmishers 
and  took  position  to  the  left  of  the  redoubt.  The  line  was 
withdrawn  a few  paces  by  General  Hancock  in  order  that  the 
men  might  be  protected  by  the  crest  from  the  flying  bullets. 
When  the  advanced  line  of  the  enemy,  a good  deal  broken  by 
the  vicissitudes  of  their  advance,  was  but  a few  yards  distant, 
Hancock  gave  the  order  to  charge.  The  eager  line  sprang  for- 
ward with  a yell,  and  the  crest  was  at  once  crowned  with  a 
hedge  of  gleaming  bayonets.  By  Hancock’s  order  it  came  to 
a halt  and  opened  a fire  which  speedily  turned  the  on-coming 
enemy  and  strewed  the  plain  with  his  dead.  The  skirmishers 
and  flankers  of  the  Seventh  and  33d  N.  Y.  in  the  woods  on  the 
right  intercepted  a large  number  of  the  retreating  rebels  and 
took  them  prisoners.  The  enemy’s  loss  was  over  500.  The 
5th  No.  Car.  was  practically  annihilated.  Its  colonel  reported 
that  it  was  "so  reduced  as  to  be  inefficient.” 

When  the  Seventh  was  at  dress-parade  the  evening  of  the 
6th,  General  McClellan  with  his  large  and  brilliant  staff  appeared 
before  it  and  took  position  in  front  of  the  colors.  Arms  were 
presented,  and  the  General,  after  acknowledging  the  salute, 
addressed  the  regiment  as  follows  : — 

Soldiers: — 

I have  come  to  thank  you  for  your  bravery  and  gallant  conduct  in  the 
recent  battle.  On  this  little  plain  you  and  your  comrades  yesterday  saved 
the  army  from  a disgraceful  defeat.  You  would  have  deserved  credit  had 
you  been  forced  to  retire  before  the  overwhelming  odds  that  were  brought 
against  you.  Your  steadiness  and  the  boldness  of  your  attack  were  brilliant 
in  the  extreme.  You  have  done  honor  to  your  country  and  your  state,  and 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


445 


in  their  gratitude  they  will  accord  to  you  the  praise  so  justly  your  due.  Con- 
tinue to  exhibit  the  same  courage  and  the  same  soldierly  qualities,  and  the 
triumph  of  our  cause  will  surely  and  speedily  arrive.  In  recognition  of  your 
merit  you  shall  hereafter  bear  the  inscription  “Williamsburg”  on  your  ban- 
ners. Soldiers,  my  words  are  feeble,  but  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  I 
thank  you. 

The  address  was  " reported  ” immediately  after  dress-parade 
by  the  collaboration  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Connor  and  Major  Hyde. 

The  comradeship  of  the  Seventh  and  the  33d  N.  Y.  in  this 
action  caused  a strong  feeling  of  mutual  regard  to  spring  up 
between  the  two  regiments.  Thenceforth  to  the  end  they  were 
"twin  regiments.”  When  the  33d  was  mustered  out  at  the 
expiration  of  its  two-years’  term  of  service  the  three-years’  men 
remaining  petitioned  to  be  assigned  to  the  Seventh.  Greatly 
to  the  regret  of  the  Seventh  the  assignment  to  a regiment  from 
another  state  was  not  deemed  expedient.  The  men  of  the  33d, 
recruited  mainly  along  the  Erie  Canal,  were,  like  Sir  William 
of  Deloraine,  " good  at  need.” 

The  Seventh  participated  in  a lively  affair  at  Mechanicsville 
on  the  24th  of  May,  in  which  the  brigade  drove  the  enemy  from 
the  town  and  took  possession  of  it.  It  was  under  fire  in  sup- 
port of  a battery,  but  was  not  actively  engaged. 

Smith’s  division  crossed  the  Chickahominy  after  the  battle 
of  Fair  Oaks  and  occupied  a position  on  the  right,  next  to  that 
stream.  The  camp  of  the  Seventh  was  on  the  hill,  overlooking 
the  swamp  through  which  the  Chickahominy  runs  and  the 
slopes  beyond  it.  Here  the  Seventh  remained  for  more  than 
three  weeks  doing  picket  duty,  making  earthworks,  bridges  and 
roads,  and  suffering  severely  from  the  diseases  consequent  upon 
camping  and  doing  soldiers’ duties  in  a highly  malarious  district 
and  living  on  an  unsuitable  diet.  The  indications  were  that 
the  army  of  the  Potomac  was  considered  to  be  " in  a bad  box.” 
The  bands  were  not  allowed  to  play,  and  every  care  was  taken 
that  quiet  should  be  observed  throughout  the  camps.  The  pros- 
pect of  a vigorous  advance  was  the  least  of  all.  Altogether  it 
was  a gloomy  and  dispiriting  period  which  was  happily  broken 
on  the  26th  of  June  by  McCall’s  repulse  of  the  sudden  attack 
made  on  him  at  Mechanicsville  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Chickahominy,  by  the  Confederates  under  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill. 


446 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  next  day  the  battle  of  Gaines’  Mill  was  fought  by  Porter 
and  McCall  against  the  bulk  of  Lee’s  army. 

Towards  evening  the  Third  brigade  was  ordered  to  cross  the 
river  and  reinforce  Porter.  As  soon  as  the  brigade  was  in  line 
the  rebels  created  a diversion  by  opening  a heavy  artillery  tire 
on  it  and  attacking  the  front  then  held  by  Hancock’s  First  brig- 
ade. The  only  success  they  won  was  the  countermanding  of 
the  order  to  reinforce  Porter.  The  Seventh  was  ordered  to  the 
earthwork  to  support  a battery.  The  next  forenoon  it  lav  in 
line  on  a wooded  slope  a few  yards  behind  the  picket  line  which 
confronted  the  enemy’s  pickets  across  a field,  half  a gunshot  dis- 
tant. Although  the  pickets  stood  out  boldly,  not  a shot  was 
fired  on  either  side.  An  attack  was  expected  at  any  moment 
and  the  Seventh  eagerly  waited  for  it,  every  man  with  his 
thumb  on  the  hammer  of  his  rifle.  None  was  made  during  its 
tour  of  duty ; but  scarcely  had  it  been  relieved  by  other  regi- 
ments of  the  brigade  than  a determined  onslaught  was  made 
upon  the  line.  It  was  bravely  met  and  the  enemy  was  turned 
back  with  great  loss.  The  33d  N.  Y.  bore  the  brunt  of  the 
assault.  In  this  affair  the  Seventh  again  supported  the  battery 
at  the  main  line.  Several  of  its  men  were  wounded  by  bullets 
from  the  attack  on  the  advanced  line.  While  the  brigade  was 
at  the  front  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  their  camp  was  riddled 
and  plowed  by  a cross-fire  of  artillery  from  the  front  and  from 
Gaines’  Hill  on  the  flank,  across  the  Chickahominy.  At  an  early 
hour  on  the  29th  the  retreat  began.  The  scene  at  Savage 
Station  was  enough  to  demoralize  a less  stout-hearted  army ; 
commissary,  quartermaster’s  and  ordnance  stores  were  being 
destroyed  by  wholesale  to  prevent  their  being  of  use  to  the 
enemy.  The  crackling  of  the  flames  and  the  explosion  of  shells 
sounded  as  if  a battle  were  in  progress.  Troops  were  thronging 
into  the  field  from  the  abandoned  front,  and  uncertainty  as  to 
the  proximity  of  the  enemy  or  the  quarter  from  which  he  might 
be  coming  seemed  to  prevail.  In  the  midst  of  this  confusion 
the  order  and  discipline  of  the  troops  were  not  shaken  in  the 
least.  Sumner’s  corps  and  Smith’s  division  of  Franklin’s  corps 
formed  line  by  division  at  half  distance  in  the  edge  of  the  field 
upon  which  the  enemy  was  expected  to  appear  in  pursuit. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


447 


General  Davidson,  commanding  the  Third  brigade,  and  Colonel 
Mason  of  the  Seventh  both  succumbed  to  the  terrific  heat  and 
were  taken  to  the  rear  in  ambulances.  Colonel  Mason  did  not 
recover  from  the  effects  of  this  stroke  and  return  to  the  regi- 
ment  until  after  the  battle  of  Antietam.  As  no  enemy  came 
in  sight  after  hours  had  passed  and  the  rest  of  the  army  were 
well  on  their  rearward  march,  Smith’s  division  was  ordered  to 
resume  the  march.  The  Seventh  had  marched  a mile  or  more 
when  sharp  firing  from  the  field  it  had  just  left  indicated  that 
the  left  of  the  line  was  engaged.  The  Seventh  was  detached 
from  the  brigade  and  ordered  back  as  a reinforcement.  Arriv- 
ing on  the  field  it  met  General  Brooks,  to  whom  it  had  been 
ordered  to  report,  at  the  head  of  his  Vermont  brigade,  resuming 
the  march  after  repelling  the  attack  of  a superior  force,  and  was 
by  him  directed  to  turn  back  and  take  up  its  march  again. 

After  a long  and  fatiguing  night-march  along  a narrow  and 
rough  road,  the  bridge  at  White  Oak  Swamp  was  crossed  and 
destroyed  in  the  early  morning,  and  as  each  regiment  was 
assigned  its  position,  officers  and  men,  overcome  with  fatigue 
and  want  of  sleep,  fell  to  the  ground  without  looking  for  " soft 
spots”  and  instantly  became  oblivious  of  all  war’s  alarms. 

At  noon,  while  the  regiments  of  the  brigade  were  resting  on 
the  wooded  hillside  where  they  had  bivouacked,  the  enemy  sud- 
denly opened  with  thirty-one  guns,  firing  " salvos  by  battery.” 
Fortunately  none  of  the  Seventh  were  injured.  The  enemy'  had 
given  no  sign  of  his  presence,  and  this  sudden  and  fierce  can- 
nonading found  the  division  without  formation  to  meet  an  attack 
from  that  quarter  ; but  dispositions  were  soon  made.  The  Sev- 
enth was  placed  in  line  in  the  edge  of  the  woods  and  remained 
there  until  midnight,  when  it  again  took  up  the  march  towards 
the  James.  While  waiting  here  for  the  attack  which  was 
momentarily  expected,  but  did  not  come  because  the  enemy 
could  not  cross  the  swamp  without  bridges  and  in  face  of  the 
artillery  and  skirmish  fire  which  met  them  whenever  they  made 
an  attempt,  the  battle  of  Glendale  was  raging  to  the  left.  The 
thick  woods  shut  the  combatants  from  sight,  but  the  sounds  that 
arose  from  the  field  told  clearly  how  the  fight  was  going.  First 
the  " rebel  yell  ” indicated  a charge ; then  came  the  rattle  of 


448 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


musketry  as  the  foemen  clashed  ; and  next  a brief  silence,  fol- 
lowed by  three  ringing  Saxon  cheers,  which  conveyed  to  their 
distant  comrades  as  distinctly  as  a despatch  from  headquar- 
ters that  Kearny  and  Hooker  had  met  the  enemy  and  rolled 
him  back. 

Another  night  march  — wearied  men  and  horses  sleeping  as 
they  moved  mechanically  along  the  dusty  road  — and  Smith’s 
division,  which  had  brought  up  the  rear,  broke  from  the  forest 
into  the  lush  clover  of  a broad  field  on  the  James  at  5 o’clock 
in  the  morning.  Again  every  man  dropped  down  where  he 
halted  for  the  two  hours  of  sleep  which  was  all  that  could  be 
permitted,  many  waking  with  heads  aching  from  exposure  to 
the  broiling  sun.  The  division  moved  out  across  Turkey  Creek, 
and  went  into  position  on  a small  plantation  in  the  midst  of  the 
woods,  and  there  remained  guarding  the  right  of  the  line  and 
unmolested,  while  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill  was  fought  by  the 
left  of  the  line,  aided  by  the  gunboats  in  the  James.  The  divis- 
ion withdrew  that  night,  the  Third  brigade  bringing  up  the  rear 
and  destroying  the  bridges,  and  the  next  morning  marched  to 
Harrison’s  Landing. 

The  encampment  at  Harrison’s  Landing  was  not  a pleasing 
period  in  any  sense.  The  army  of  the  Potomac  had  no  con- 
sciousness of  having  been  whipped,  and  yet  it  had  been 
withdrawn  from  its  objective  point  and  placed  on  the  defensive. 
All  the  loss  of  life,  the  toil  and  suffering  of  the  campaign 
seemed  to  have  been  without  compensating  result.  The  Seventh 
had  500  men  at  Williamsburg  and  on  the  12th  of  August  only 
half  as  many  for  duty. 

Under  date  of  August  7,  1862,  the  commanding  officer 
wrote  in  a personal  letter  : " The  other  day  I was  officer  of  the 
day  for  the  division,  and  I left  the  command  of  the  regiment 
with  the  only  captain  for  duty.”  And  under  date  of  August 
12:  "The  army  has  sent  away  all  its  sick.  My  regiment 
has  barely  250  since  our  sick  left  us.  I have  but  two  captains 
present  for  duty  — Cook  and  Fletcher  — and  nine  lieutenants.” 
The  loss  was  caused  principally  by  disease  consequent  upon  the 
hardships  of  the  campaign  and  the  malaria  of  the  swamps. 
Many  officers  were  granted  leave  of  absence,  thus  entailing 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


449 


double  duty  on  those  remaining  with  the  regiment.  There  was 
much  picket,  guard  and  fatigue  duty.  Earthworks  were  thrown 
up  and  heavy  guns  mounted.  All  the  regiments  of  the  brigade 
had  been  compelled  to  leave  their  camps  and  camp  equipage  at 
Golding’s  Farm.  The  Seventh  took  away  but  two  camp  kettles, 
so  that  the  men  had  to  make  their  coffee  in  tin  cups  and  fry 
their  meat  in  tin  plates. 

The  order  to  break  camp  and  prepare  for  the  march  was  a 
welcome  one.  The  Sixth  corps  moved  out  August  16,  and 
after  two  days  of  rapid  and  toilsome  marching  through  heat 
and  dust  crossed  the  Chickahominy  by  a pontoon  bridge  two 
thousand  feet  in  length  in  the  evening  of  the  17th;  thence  it 
continued  the  march  by  way  of  Williamsburg  and  Yorktown  and 
arrived  at  Fort  Monroe  the  21st,  and  took  transports  which 
anchored  off  Alexandria  the  evening  of  the  23d.  The  following; 
morning  the  troops  disembarked  and  went  into  camp  a short 
distance  from  the  chy,  and  there  remained  until  the  29th,  when 
the  corps  marched  to  the  assistance  of  Pope.  The  horses  of  the 
Seventh  not  having  arrived  from  Fort  Monroe,  Lieut. -Colonel 
Connor,  who  was  not  well  enough  to  march  on  foot,  turned  over 
the  command  to  Major  Hyde,  who  had  joined  at  Fort  Monroe, 
and  went  to  the  hospital  at  Alexandria.  The  march  of  the  Sec- 
ond division  of  the  Sixth  corps  to  the  relief  of  hard-pressed 
comrades  was  tardily  begun  and  deliberately  made.  The  divis- 
ion met  the  defeated  army  at  Centreville  and  returned  to  the 
vicinity  of  Alexandria  with  it. 

On  the  6th  of  September  the  Sixth  corps  crossed  the  Poto- 
mac by  Long  Bridge  and  began  the  march  through  Maryland. 
It  sauntered  through  a delightful  country  at  a beautiful  season 
and  on  the  14th  encountered  the  enemy  at  Crampton’s  Gap. 
The  Sixth  corps  climbed  the  mountain  and  drove  the  enemy 
from  his  strong  position.  In  this  affair  the  Third  brigade  sup- 
ported the  Second,  and  was  not  actively  engaged  though  it  had 
its  share  of  the  artillery  fire  that  met  the  attack.  It  encamped 
at  the  head  of  the  pass,  and  on  the  17th  marched  to  the  field  of 
Antietam,  a distance  of  ten  miles,  the  roar  of  the  battle  growing 
louder  and  grander  as  the  field  was  approached.  It  had  no 
sooner  arrived  than  it  was  sent  forward  on  the  right  of  the  line, 


450 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


where  some  of  the  fiercest  fighting  of  the  day  had  already  taken 
place.  The  brigade  advanced  successfully,  the  principal  loss 
falling  on  the  33d  N.  Y.  and  the  77th  N.  Y.  on  the  right  of  the 
line.  The  Seventh  lost  a few  men  while  driving  a force  from 
a building  on  the  left.  The  brigade  held  its  advanced  position, 
some  regiments  suffering  from  an  artillery  fire.  The  Seventh 
was  partially  protected  by  bowlders  and  lost  but  few  men  ; but 
its  turn  for  sacrifice  was  close  at  hand. 

Between  4 and  5 o’clock  in  the  afternoon  Col.  William  H. 
Irwin  of  the  49th  Penn.,  commanding  the  brigade,  ordered 
Major  Hyde,  commanding  the  Seventh,  to  take  his  regiment  and 
drive  away  the  enemy’s  sharpshooters  who,  from  the  vicinity 
of  Piper’s  barns  near  the  Hagerstown  pike,  were  annoying  a 
battery  in  front  of  the  line  of  the  Third  brigade.  The  proposed 
point  of  attack  was  evidently  the  rebel  centre,  a strong  position 
held  by  a large  force.  The  order  seemed  so  rash  that  Major 
Hyde  required  it  to  be  repeated  in  the  hearing  of  the  regiment 
before  obeying  it.  The  regiment  went  forward,  crossing  the 
Sunken  Road  filled  with  the  enemy’s  dead,  and  charged  at 
double-quick  down  a valley  leading  to  Piper’s  barns.  The  val- 
ley proved  to  be  a veritable  cul-de-sac.  The  rebels  from  behind 
stone-walls  on  the  right  and  front  poured  a heavy  fire  upon  the 
devoted  little  band,  and  as  it  still  went  on,  obliquing  to  the  left, 
Major  Hyde,  riding  in  front  of  his  line,  saw  a superior  force 
waiting  at  the  " ready,”  whereupon  he  moved  the  regiment  by 
the  left  flank  back  past  Piper’s  barns  from  which  the  rebels  had 
fled,  and  thence,  seeing  a large  force  at  the  double-quick  aiming 
to  cut  him  off,  he  fell  back  through  the  orchard,  where  the 
enemy  poured  several  volleys  into  the  Seventh  and  then  charged. 
Here  the  heaviest  loss  was  met.  From  the  fence  in  rear  of  the 
orchard  the  stricken  regiment  checked  their  pursuers  with  a ter- 
rible fire,  and  enabled  Major  Hyde,  with  the  aid  of  Sergeant, 
afterwards  Captain,  Hill  and  his  sabre  bayonet,  to  make  way  for 
his  horse  through  the  tall  picket  fence.  The  survivors  had  no 
ammunition  left.  The  enemy’s  dead  proved  that  it  had  been 
expended  with  good  effect.  General  Hyde,  in  his  "Following 
the  Greek  Cross,”  from  whose  account  the  foregoing  is  taken, 
says  : " I then  formed  the  regiment  on  the  colors,  sixty-five  men 


SEVENTH  REGEVIENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


451 


and  three  officers,  and  slowly  we  marched  back  towards  our 
place  in  line.  The  batteries  by  Dunker  Church  opened  on  us 
at  first,  but  I guess  they  thought  we  had  pounding  enough,  for 
they  stopped  after  a few  shots.  But  our  main  line  rose  up  and 
waved  their  hats,  and  when  we  came  in  front  of  our  dear  com- 
rades the  Vermonters,  their  cheers  made  the  welkin  ring.  Gen- 
eral Brooks  had  told  their  colonels  when  they  begged  to  follow 
our  charge  : 'You  will  never  see  that  regiment  again.’”  Gen- 
eral Hyde  says  that  he  had  fifteen  officers  and  two  hundred  and 
twenty-five  men  in  the  morning,  and  he  came  out  of  the  charge 
with  three  officers  and  sixty-five  men. 

Colonel  Irwin,  who  would  not  probably  have  given  the 
order  but  for  the  warping  of  his  judgment  by  his  drinking- 
habits,  was  relieved  of  the  command  after  the  battle. 

The  remnant  of  the  Seventh  was  assigned  to  easy  duty  as 
guard  at  headquarters  until  ordered  to  Maine  to  recruit,  in 
pursuance  of  orders  referred  to  in  the  following  communication  : 

Headquarters  Army  of  Potomac, 

Camp  Near  Sharpsburg,  Md.,  October  4,  1862. 

To  His  Excellency , the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Maine: — 

Sir:  — In  view  of  the  reduced  and  shattered  condition  of  the  Seventh 
regiment  of  Maine  volunteers,  the  result  of  arduous  service  and  exposure 
during  the  campaigns  on  the  Peninsula  and  in  Maryland,  I made  on  the  2d 
inst.  a special  application  to  the  War  Department  that  the  regiment  should 
be  sent  to  report  to  you  in  Maine,  that  it  might  be  recruited  and  reorganized 
under  your  personal  supervision.  I yesterday  received  the  necessary  author- 
ity, as  you  will  observe  by  the  copy  of  Special  Order  No.  271  from  these 
headquarters,  enclosed  herein.  I send  the  regiment  to  you  for  the  purpose 
indicated.  I beg  that  when  this  purpose  shall  have  been  accomplished,  that 
the  regiment  may  be  ordered  to  report  to  me  with  all  practicable  despatch. 

In  returning  this  gallant  remnant  of  a noble  body  of  men,  whose  bravery 
has  been  exhibited  on  every  field  almost  in  the  campaigns  cited,  to  the  State 
whose  pride  it  is  to  have  sent  them  forth,  I feel  happy  that  it  has  been  in  my 
power  to  signify,  even  in  this  insufficient  manner,  my  appreciation  of  their 
services  and  of  their  value  to  this  army,  and  I will  venture  on  the  latter 
account  to  ask  your  Excellency’s  best  endeavors  to  fill  at  once  their  dimin- 
ished ranks,  that  I may  again  see  their  standard  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 

I am,  with  much  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

Geo.  B.  McClellan,  Major-General , U.  S.  A. 

The  regiment  had  a warm  reception  as  it  passed  through 
Yew  York  City  and  Boston.  On  the  Sunday  it  remained  in 
Boston  a dinner  was  given  to  the  officers  at  " Parker’s  ” by  the 


452 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


city  government  and  the  men  were  entertained  at  the  Hancock 
House.  It  was  enthusiastically  welcomed  on  its  arrival  in 
Portland.  The  17th  Regulars,  the  Twenty-third,  Twenty-fifth 
and  Twenty-seventh  Maine  regiments  under  General  Francis 
Fessenden,  and  many  civic  organizations  escorted  the  veterans 
to  the  City  Hall,  and  they  were  there  addressed  in  glowing 
terms  by  Governor  Washburn  in  the  presence  of  the  city  gov- 
ernment and  as  many  citizens  as  the  hall  could  contain. 

Headquarters  were  established  at  Camp  Lincoln,  near  Port- 
land, and  recruiting  parties  were  sent  to  different  parts  of  the 
state.  Recruiting  for  old  regiments  was  not  easy  at  that  period 
of  the  war  ; even  the  urgent  request  in  McClellan’s  letter  to  the 
governor,  for  " His  Excellency’s  best  endeavors  to  fill  at  once 
the  diminished  ranks  ” of  the  Seventh,  did  not  seem  to  effect 
the  desired  result.  On  the  21st  of  January,  1863,  Colonel 
Mason  received  an  order  from  the  War  Department  to  consoli- 
date the  men  of  the  Seventh  into  a battalion  of  four  or  five 
companies  of  the  maximum  strength  and  send  it  to  the  front 
under  command  of  the  lieutenant-colonel.  Companies  B,  C, 
D,  I and  K were  strengthened  by  the  transfer  to  them  of  all 
the  men  available,  and  the  battalion  so  constituted,  and  num- 
bering two  hundred  and  thirty  men,  left  Portland  the  25th  and 
after  some  delay  in  Washington  waiting  for  transportation 
took  a steamer  for  Belle  Plaine.  The  little  battalion  was  most 
heartily  welcomed  by  all  the  regiments  of  "the  old  brigade” 
and  was  treated  with  special  consideration  by  the  new  brigade 
commander,  Gen.  Thomas  II.  Neill,  and  by  Gen.  A.  P.  Howe, 
the  successor  of  " Baldy  ” Smith  as  division  commander. 

The  usual  routine  of  camp  life  in  winter  quarters  ensued. 
Major  Hyde  was  detached  from  the  battalion  and  assigned  to 
duty  on  the  staff  of  General  Franklin,  commanding  the  left 
grand  division  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  as  acting  Inspector- 
General,  and  later,  when  that  division  organization  had  been 
discontinued,  he  was  appointed  Provost  Marshal  General  on  the 
staff  of  General  Sedgwick  commanding  the  Sixth  corps.  The 
battalion  was  in  splendid  condition,  and  frequently  received 
the  commendation  of  the  brigade  and  division  commanders  and 
the  inspecting  officers. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


453 


The  spring  campaign  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  opened 
the  28th  of  April.  The  Sixth  corps  broke  camp  that  day  and 
moved  to  the  banks  of  the  Rappahannock,  the  men  carrying 
eight  days’  rations.  Early  the  following  morning  Russell’s 
brigade  of  the  First  division  crossed  the  river  in  pontoons  at 
Franklin’s  Crossing,  surprised  the  enemy’s  pickets  and  held  the 
south  bank  of  the  river  while  the  engineer  corps  laid  pontoon 
bridges  at  their  leisure.  On  the  evening  of  the  2d  of  May  the 
Sixth  corps  crossed  the  river,  and  at  an  early  hour  the  following 
morning  advanced  up  the  river  to  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of 
Fredericksburg,  and  halted  on  the  plain  fronting  Marye’s 
Heights,  Cemetery  Hill  to  the  right  nearer  the  city.  Skirmishers 
contested  the  advance  towards  Marye’s  Heights,  and  artillery  on 
the  heights  directed  its  fire  upon  every  exposed  line  and  group. 
The  Light  Division  was  about  to  move  out  from  the  town 
against  the  works  on  Cemetery  Hill.  General  Howe  ordered 
General  Neill  and  his  regimental  commanders  to  assemble  around 
him  that  he  might  give  them  personal  instructions  for  the 
advance  he  was  about  to  order.  This  assemblage  of  mounted 
officers  made  a conspicuous  group,  and  the  gunners  of  the  Wash- 
ington Artillery  at  once  made  a target  of  it ; shells  fell  all  around 
in  uncomfortable  proximity  ; an  orderly’s  horse  was  killed,  and 
the  practice  was  improving  at  every  shot ; under  these  condi- 
tions the  final  orders  were  very  hastily  given,  and  accepted 
without  much  inquiry  as  to  details. 

The  first  line  of  the  division  was  composed  of  the  Seventh 
Maine,  33d  N.  Y.  and  21st  N.  J.,  preceded  by  the  77th  N.  Y. 
as  skirmishers.  The  formation  was  rapidly  made  and  the  line 
went  forward  on  the  run,  the  guns  on  Marye’s  Heights  doing 
their  best  to  check  their  advance.  The  Seventh  was  on  the 
right  of  the  line.  When  near  Cemetery  Hill, — to  the  right 
of  the  advancing  line,  — the  Adjutant-General  of  the  brigade 
ordered  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Seventh  to  make  that  his 
objective  point,  presumably  in  order  to  assist  by  a flank  attack 
the  Light  Division  which  was  then  assailing  the  front  of  the 
works  towards  Fredericksburg.  Wheeling  to  the  right,  the  Sev- 
enth went  down  a steep  bank  and  crossed  a morass  which  wTas 
swept  by  canister  from  the  guns  on  Marye’s  Heights.  Here 


454 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Adjutant  Butler  was  killed,  and  many  others  fell,  killed  or 
wounded  by  the  deadly  enfilading  fire.  Halting  a moment  to 
dress  the  line,  somewhat  broken  by  the  losses  and  the  struggle 
through  the  deep  mud,  the  regiment  climbed  the  hill  and  found 
the  works  on  its  top  deserted,  and  its  recent  occupants  being- 
pushed  across  the  fields  beyond  by  the  victorious  Light  Divis- 
ion. Not  a moment  was  lost  in  going  to  the  aid  of  the  other 
regiments  of  the  Third  brigade  which  had  kept  on  towards 
Marye’s  Heights.  The  Seventh  marched  down  the  hill  in  a road 
running  in  the  direction  of  the  heights,  crossed  another  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill  which  was  swept  by  the  fire  of  the  guns  that  had 
just  caused  it  to  suffer  so  severely,  formed  line  at  the  foot  of 
the  heights  and  pushed  on  towards  the  sound  of  musketry. 
Half  way  up  the  hill  Col.  L.  A.  Grant,  commanding  the  Ver- 
mont brigade  in  the  Second  division,  was  met,  eagerly  looking- 
for  reinforcements.  "I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Colonel,”  was  his 
salutation  to  Lieut. -Colonel  Connor,  " we  are  having  a hard  time 
to  hold  our  ground.”  In  his  report  Colonel  Grant  says  : " The 
33d  N.  Y.,  Colonel  Taylor,  also  came  up  about  the  same  time 
and  went  into  the  engagement.  The  Seventh  Maine,  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Connor,  soon  followed,  and  the  enemy  were  entirely 
driven  from  that  part  of  the  hill.  * * * I desire  to  bear 

testimony  to  the  gallant  manner  in  which  Colonel  Taylor  and 
Lieut. -Colonel  Connor  came  to  our  aid.”  The  Vermont  brigade 
was  on  the  left  of  the  Third  brigade  and  may  have  struck  the 
enemy  before  the  33d  N.  Y.  became  engaged.  The  Seventh 
went  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible  through  the  brush,  passed 
a brass  piece  which  had  been  captured,  and  came  out  on  the  left 
of  the  33d  N.  Y.,  which  was  exchanging  fire  with  the  enemy 
across  an  open  space.  The  effectives  of  the  33d  seemed  few  in 
comparison  with  the  dead  and  wounded  with  which  the  ground 
was  strewn.  The  twin  regiments  cheered  and  the  Windsors  of 
the  Seventh  soon  relieved  the  33d  from  the  pressure  upon  its 
thinned  ranks  and  tired  men. 

The  Third  brigade  after  the  capture  of  the  heights  moved 
towards  Salem  Church,  and  was  placed  on  the  left  of  the  line 
to  guard  the  flank,  but  did  not  actively  engage  in  the  bloody 
contest  there,  in  which  the  rebels  checked  the  advance  of  the 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


455 


Sixth  corps  towards  Chancellorsville.  The  next  morning,  as 
the  Seventh  was  marching  to  a more  advanced  position,  the 
infantry  of  the  enemy  in  large  force  could  be  seen  on  the  hills 
in  front  marching  from  the  direction  of  Chancellorsville,  and 
one  of  his  batteries  went  into  position  and  began  shelling  the 
regiment,  wounding  one  of  the  color-guard.  The  Third  brigade 
was  placed  along  a crest  in  an  open  field  in  support  of  Rigby’s 
battery,  making  the  toe  of  the  horseshoe  which  Sedgwick  formed 
to  cover  Banks’  Ford.  At  about  10  o’clock  in  the  morning  a 
rebel  brigade  formed  in  the  open  field  behind  some  buildings 
and  then  advanced  in  line,  with  the  evident  intention  of  taking- 
possession  of  a wooded  hill  which  was  occupied  by  two  compa- 
nies of  the  49th  X.  Y.  and  company  B of  the  Seventh  Maine 
as  an  outpost.  The  attacking  force  was  routed  by  these  three 
companies,  and  more  prisoners  than  they  themselves  numbered 
and  the  colors  of  the  58th  Virginia  were  taken  by  them.  Their 
success  in  the  face  of  such  overwhelming  odds  was  due  in  part 
to  their  position  on  the  hillside,  where  rocks  and  trees  afforded 
protection,  but  chiefly  to  the  water-proof  cartridges  with  which 
company  B was  supplied.  It  is  not  known  whether  the  two 
companies  of  the  49th  had  those  cartridges  or  not.  It  was  the 
first  issue  of  the  kind  that  had  ever  been  made  to  the  regiment 
and  it  proved  to  have  been  very  timely.  The  paper  was  pre- 
pared in  such  a way  as  to  be  ignitable  by  the  fulminate  of  the 
cap  so  that  it  did  not  require  "tearing,”  and  it  was  so  thin  that 
the  cartridge  slipped  down  the  barrel  of  the  Windsor  rifle  with- 
out the  use  of  a ramrod.  This  cartridge  made  the  muzzle-loader 
almost  equal  to  a breech-loader  in  rapidity  of  firing. 

Between  5 and  6 o’clock  in  the  afternoon  a sharp  fire  ran 
suddenly  all  along  the  picket  line,  and  the  valley  was  all  at  once 
filled  with  a gray-clad  host  in  orderly  and  imposing  array  ; skir- 
mishers and  a line  of  battle  advancing,  and  behind  them  masses 
moving  " division  front  ” towards  the  left.  The  Seventh  went 
down  the  slope  in  front  of  the  battery  far  enough  to  allow  the 
battery  to  fire  over  their  heads,  and  hotly  engaged  the  enemy. 
The  20th  N.  Y.  — a German  regiment  — formed  the  left  of  the 
line,  placed  diagonally  to  protect  the  flank.  It  gave  way 
before  the  assault  upon  it,  leaving  the  flank  exposed  and 


456 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


compelling  the  brigade  to  fall  back.  The  brigade  withdrew  in 
an  orderly  manner  to  the  position  assigned  it  in  the  new  line  at 
the  head  of  the  ravine  through  which  the  great  force  that  was 
seen  moving  around  the  left  of  the  advanced  line  was  making 
its  way,  and  there  awaited  the  onset.  But  the  artillery  fire  cre- 
ated such  havoc  among  the  on-coming  masses  that  the  services 
of  the  infantry  were  not  required.  Late  in  the  evening  the  reg- 
iment marched  to  a hillside  near  Banks’  Ford.  All  through  the 
night  the  mortar  shells  of  the  rebels  were  directed  upon  the  ford 
and  the  adjacent  banks  of  the  river,  but  fortunately  with  little 
effect.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  the  brigade  recrossed 
the  Rappahannock,  and  after  a few  days  re-established  itself  in 
pleasant  camping  grounds  near  those  it  had  occupied  through 
the  winter.  Captain  Fletcher  with  his  company,  F,  from  the 
recruiting  station  at  Portland,  joined  on  the  23d,  bringing  the 
battalion  up  to  six  companies. 

The  Second  division  broke  camp  the  5th  of  June  and  moved 
to  Franklin’s  Crossing.  It  crossed  the  Rappahannock  the  next 
day,  capturing  a Florida  regiment  in  rifle-pits  along  the  bank, 
and  occupied  the  plain.  It  was  relieved  by  the  First  division 
on  the  8th  and  returned  to  the  north  side  of  the  river,  and  on 
the  13th  it  marched  to  Potomac  Creek,  the  first  stage  of  the 
long  march  to  Gettysburg.  On  the  20th  it  was  at  Germantown 
and  was  sent  to  Bristoe  Station  as  a corps  of  observation  on  the 
flank  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  It  marched  thence  to  Centre- 
ville  the  25th;  to  Dranesville  the  26th;  to  Poolesville,  Md., 
via  Edwards  Ferry,  the  27th  ; to  Hyattstown  the  28th  ; to  New 
Windsor,  via  New  Market  and  Ridgeville,  the  29th  ; to  Man- 
chester the  30th.  At  9 o’clock  in  the  evening,  July  1,  the 
order  came  to  fall  in,  and  was  promptly  obeyed  ; but  the  corps 
did  not  fairly  start  upon  the  march  till  near  midnight.  It  came 
upon  the  field  of  Gettysburg  at  5 o’clock  the  afternoon  of  the 
2d  of  July,  after  a day’s  march  variously  estimated  at  from 
thirty  to  thirty-five  miles. 

The  Second  division  filed  out  of  the  Baltimore  pike  into  a field 
near  Rock  Creek,  and  after  a few  minutes’  rest  the  Third 
brigade  crossed  the  creek  and  formed  line  in  support  of 
a battery  on  Powers’  Hill.  The  brigade  was  moved  several 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


457 


times  that  night  and  with  great  care  and  circumspection.  It 
must  have  occupied  at  one  time  a position  in  very  close  prox- 
imity to  the  rebels  who  had  occupied  the  temporarily  abandoned 
rifle-pits  of  that  portion  of  the  Twelfth  corps  which] went  to  the 
aid  of  the  Third,  and  had  extended  around  them  so  that  they 
were  in  rear  of  the  Union  line.  The  following  morning  General 
Slocum  requested  General  Neill  to  stop  the  rebel  advance  on 
the  south  side  of  Rock  Creek,  which  was  annoying  his  right  and 
threatening  to  cut  off  the  Baltimore  pike,  the  main  line  of  com- 
munication. General  Neill  sent  Lieut. -Colonel  Connor,  with 
the  Seventh  and  the  43d  N.  Y.  under  his  command,  to  protect 
the  menaced  point.  The  two  regiments  crossed  the  creek,  and 
after  moving  a short  distance  on  the  Baltimore  pike  the  whistle 
of  bullets  indicated  the  whereabouts  of  the  enemy.  Skirmishers 
were  thrown  out  in  the  woods  on  the  left  by  the  Seventh  Maine, 
and  in  the  woods  on  the  right  by  the  43d  N.  Y.,  and  the  line 
of  the  two  regiments  advanced  in  the  opening  at  a run,  and 
established  itself  in  a favorable  position  behind  a stone-wall. 
Several  men  were  wounded  by  sharpshooters  in  crossing  the 
field,  and  the  skirmishers  on  both  flanks  had  a sharp  encounter 
before  they  succeeded  in  driving  back  the  rebel  skirmishers  to 
a respectful  distance.  In  this  affair  the  43d  N.  Y.  lost  one 
officer  and  one  enlisted  man  killed,  two  enlisted  men  wounded 
and  one  captured  or  missing.  The  Seventh  had  seven  men 
wounded,  two  of  them  mortally ; these  were  Richard  Sculley, 
who  died  the  4th  of  July,  and  William  H.  Smith,  September 
1st ; both  are  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Gettysburg. 
Folsom  Dutton,  company  C,  was  reported  as  missing  at  Gettys- 
burg July  2,  and  was  so  borne  upon  the  muster-out  rolls  of 
the  company. 

General  Neill  brought  up  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  prolonged  and  strengthened  the  line 
established  by  the  Seventh  and  the  43d  N.  Y.  Thus  the  Third 
brigade  constituted  the  extreme  right  of  the  infantry.  It  was 
ordered  to  hold  the  position  and  not  to  undertake  any  enter- 
prises likely  to  bring  on  an  engagement  in  that  quarter  ; so  that 
through  the  day  there  was  only  an  occasional  shot,  whenever 
the  sharpshooters  on  either  side  saw  the  slightest  opportunity 
to  make  one. 


458 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  brigade  moved  to  the  left  on  the  morning  of  the  5th. 
passing  through  "Devil’s  Den,”  and  marched  to  Fairfield  over 
the  road  along  which  the  principal  part  of  Lee’s  army  had 
retreated.  Here  General  Neill  was  given  an  independent  com- 
mand, consisting  of  his  own  brigade,  Colonel  McIntosh’s  brig- 
ade of  cavalry  and  Martin’s  battery,  and  ordered  to  follow  up 
the  enemy  on  the  road  to  Waynesboro.  At  the.  entrance  to 
Monterey  Springs  Gap  the  skirmishers  of  the  rear  guard  made 
a stubborn  stand,  but  did  not  linger  long  enough  to  meet  the 
chances  of  the  attack  on  their  flank  and  rear  which  was  in  prep- 
aration. They  again  checked  the  advance  of  their  pursuers  by 
burning  the  bridge  over  the  Antietam  near  Waynesboro.  The 
brigade  remained  at  Waynesboro  several  days  and  was  very 
hospitably  treated  by  the  people  of  the  town.  The  brigade 
left  Waynesboro  the  11th  and  arrived  at  Funkstown,  Md.,  the 
12th.  Here  Colonel  Mason  joined  and  resumed  command  of 
the  Seventh. 

Still  following  the  retreating  army,  whose  rear  guard  had 
made  a brief  stand  at  Funkstown  behind  strong  earthworks,  the 
Sixth  corps  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Berlin,  Md.,  the  19th  of 
July.  The  itinerary  of  the  Seventh  shows  that  the  subsequent 
period,  until  it  went  into  winter  quarters  the  3d  of  December, 
was  almost  equally  divided  between  marching  and  camping.  Its 
principal  encampments  were  at  Warrenton  Springs,  Stonehouse 
Mountain  and  Brandy  Station.  The  Seventh  skirmished  with 
the  enemy  October  12  at  Brandy  Station,  and  on  the  19th, 
in  connection  with  the  6th  Vt.,  checked  and  drove  back  the 
rebel  cavalry  following  up  Buford  ; on  the  20th  skirmished  in 
advance  of  the  corps  and  drove  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  beyond 
Warrenton.  It  was  in  the  engagement  at  Rappahannock 
Station  November  7,  exposed  to  artillery  but  not  actively 
engaged,  and  on  the  27th  it  supported  the  Third  corps  at 
Locust  Grove. 

The  28th  of  November  it  advanced  to  Mine  Run  where, 
during  the  three  succeeding  days,  the  Seventh  was  in  front  and 
constantly  skirmishing  with  the  rebel  outposts.  It  recrossed 
the  Rapidan  the  second  of  December,  and  on  the  third  returned 
to  Brandy  Station  and  went  into  winter  quarters. 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


459 


In  the  campaigns  of  1863  the  Seventh  marched,  according 
to  Colonel  Mason’s  estimate,  more  than  five  hundred  and  sixty- 
miles,  and  it  took  part  in  engagements  in  Virginia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Maryland. 

In  December  Lieut. -Col.  Connor  was  commissioned  Colonel 
of  the  Nineteenth  Maine,  and  Major  Hyde  was  promoted  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, and  Captain  Jones  of  company"  B Major,  of  the 
Seventh.  In  the  same  month  an  order  was  issued  by  the  War 
Department  offering  to  enlisted  men  who  had  served  two  years 
a large  bounty,  release  from  the  remainder  of  their  current  term 
of  enlistment  and  thirty-five  day's’  furlough,  as  inducements  to 
re-enlist  for  three  y'ears.  Under  that  order  one  hundred  and 
sixty-one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Seventh  re-enlisted. 

The  only'  incident  to  break  the  routine  of  life  in  winter 
quarters  was  the  movement  in  support  of  General  Custer  in  his 
advance  on  Charlottesville  with  a division  of  cavalry.  The 
Sixth  corps  moved  from  camp  February  27,  1864,  marched  as 
far  as  Robertson’s  River  and  returned  to  camp  the  2d  of  March. 

The  army  of  the  Potomac  broke  camp  and  began  the  event- 
ful campaign  of  1864  on  the  4th  of  May.  The  Seventh  crossed 
the  Rapidan  at  Germanna  Ford  at  daylight  on  the  4th.  The 
next  morning  the  brigade  was  deployed  on  a road  leading  from 
Robertson’s  Tavern  to  the  Germanna  plank  road.  General 
Bidwell,  Colonel  of  the  49th  1ST.  Y.,  who  had  succeeded  to  the 
command  of  the  brigade,  Neill  having  assumed  command  of  the 
division  in  place  of  General  Getty,  wounded,  in  his  report 
say's : " We  drove  the  enemy  for  about  two  miles,  when  we 

came  on  an  intrenched  line  supported  by  artillery.  Shortly 
after  we  had  arrived  at  this  point  the  enemy  advanced  a brigade, 
charging  our  extreme  right  regiment,  but  they  were  repulsed  by 
the  49th  N.  Y.  Vols.  and  Seventh  Maine,  we  taking  a number 
of  prisoners  and  cutting  off  one  of  their  regiments,  which  was 
captured  by  the  5th  Wis.  Vols.”  Dr.  George  T.  Stevens,  Sur- 
geon of  the  77th  N.  Y.,  in  his  "Three  Years  in  the  Sixth  Corps,” 
thus  refers  to  this  contest : " In  these  encounters  the  Seventh 

Maine  and  61st  Penn,  regiments,  who  were  on  the  right  flank, 
received  the  heaviest  onsets  and  suffered  the  most  severely'. 
At  one  time  the  Maine  regiment  found  itself  flanked  byr  a brig- 


460 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ade  of  rebels ; changing  front  the  gallant  regiment  charged  to 
the  rear  and  scattered  its  opponents  in  confusion.” 

At  daylight  of  the  6th  the  brigade  advanced  to  the  attack, 
but  after  a vigorous  assault,  finding  the  enemy  so  protected  by 
natural  obstacles  and  the  works  with  which  they  had  strength- 
ened their  position,  withdrew.  Two  hours  later  another  unsuc- 
cessful assault  was  made  and  then  the  brigade  intrenched  where 
they  were.  Just  before  dark  the  enemy  attacked.  General 
Bidwell  reports  the  affair  as  follows  : "About  half  an  hour 
before  dark  the  enemy  made  a desperate  attack  on  the  right  of 
the  general  line  held  by  a brigade  of  each  of  the  First  and  Third 
divisions.  The  Third  division  breaking  caused  the  brigade  of 
the  First  division  also  to  break,  and  all  fell  back  on  our  line. 
This,  with  a heavy  attack  by  the  enemy  in  our  front,  came  near 
sweeping  away  the  brigade,  and,  but  for  the  unflinching  bravery 
of  the  officers  and  men,  would  have  done  so.  Our  second  line, 
changing  front  to  rear,  protected  our  flank,  and  the  front  line 
repulsed  several  attacks.”  General  Hyde,  who,  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  was  still  on  the  corps  staff,  in  "Following  the  Greek 
Cross”  says  of  this  action,  after  referring  to  the  information 
given  him  by  a demoralized  officer  that  the  Seventh  Maine 
"were  wiped  out,”  that  he  went  to  the  front  and  found  "the 
Seventh  Maine  holding  its  extreme  right,  refused.  To  my  joy 
I found  the  regiment  had  changed  front  to  rear  on  the  tenth 
company  and  with  the  43d  X.  Y.  had  stopped  the  rout,  but  at 
great  cost ; about  half  were  killed,  and  the  colonel,  lieutenant- 
colonel  and  major  of  the  43d  had  been  killed  near  our  colors.” 

At  dusk,  the  evening  of  the  8th,  the  brigade  took  up  the 
march  to  Spotsylvania  Court  House,  where  it  arrived  the  next 
evening  and  participated  in  an  advance  in  which  the  enemy’s 
line  was  broken ; but  there  being  no  connecting  troops  on 
either  flank  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  retire  and  intrench. 
This  day,  the  9th  of  May,  was  made  sorrowful  to  the  Sixth 
corps  by  the  death  of  its  beloved  commander,  Gen.  John  Sedg- 
wick, instantly  killed  by  a sharpshooter.  The  Seventh  was 
selected  as  one  of  the  twelve  picked  regiments  to  make  an 
assault  on  the  enemy’s  fieldworks  the  evening  of  the  10th. 
General  Hyde,  in  " Following  the  Greek  Cross,”  says  that  the 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


461 


regiment  had  already  " lost  so  cruelly  ” that  he  " coaxed  McMa- 
hon, chief  of  staff,  to  substitute  another.” 

The  Seventh  had  its  full  share  in  the  hard  fighting  and  cruel 
carnage  at  "The  Angle”  on  the  12th.  General  Bidwell's  report 
says:  "The  43d  N.  Y.,  61st  Penn.  Yols.  and  Seventh  Maine 
were  deployed  on  the  right  of  this  position,  supporting  General 
Upton's  brigade.  The  first  line  losing  heavily  and  closing  to 
the  left  caused  a vacancy  which  these  regiments  moved  into 
and  where  they  remained  two  hours,  delivering  a musketry  fire, 
and  were  relieved  and  moved  to  the  left  to  the  support  of  a 
brigade  of  the  Second  corps.  * * * After  dark  the  whole 

line  was  withdrawn  about  300  yards  and  went  into  bivouac  for 
the  night.  Our  loss  in  officers  and  men  was  very  heavy  in 
this  engagement.” 

After  occupying  several  other  positions  the  brigade  returned 
to  The  Angle  and  on  the  18th  was  in  the  assault  made  at  that  point 
which  resulted  in  a heavy  loss  to  the  brigade  from  artillery  fire. 

Spotsylvania  was  a "dark  and  bloody  ground”  to  the 
Seventh.  In  this,  the  final  campaign  of  the  regiment,  begin- 
ning with  the  Wilderness,  and  ending  August  21,  the  expira- 
tion of  its  term  of  service,  the  loss  of  the  Seventh  as  given  in 
the  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  of  Maine  for 
1864-5,  was  officers  killed,  8 ; wounded,  12 ; missing,  1 ; 
enlisted  men  killed,  68  ; wounded,  216  ; missing,  31.  A large 
proportion  of  these  casualties  befell  in  these  days  of  persistent 
efforts  to  break  Lee’s  strongly  intrenched  lines  at  Spotsylvania 
Court  House. 

The  Third  brigade  was  not  engaged  at  the  North  Anna.  At 
Cold  Harbor  it  shared  in  the  futile  assaults  made  on  the  strong 
position  of  the  enemy, — a struggle  so  hopeless  and  useless  that 
the  army  of  the  Potomac  recalled  it  as  a hideous  nightmare. 

The  Sixth  corps  withdrew  from  Cold  Harbor  the  12th  of 
June  and  crossed  the  James  River  the  16th.  The  Second 
division  marched  all  night  and  at  sunset  on  the  17th  arrived  in 
front  of  Petersburg.  The  Seventh  was  in  the  expedition  to  the 
Weldon  Railroad  made  by  the  Second  and  Sixth  corps  on  the  2 2d 
of  June,  and  on  the  30th  marched  to  Reams’  Station  in  the 
expectation  of  meeting  the  cavalry  of  Kautz  and  Wilson  return- 
ing from  their  raid. 


462 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  First  and  Second  divisions  of  the  Sixth  corps  at  nine 
o’clock  in  the  evening  of  July  9 received  orders  to  march  to 
City  Point,  fourteen  miles  distant.  They  arrived  at  daylight 
and  the  two  divisions  embarked  on  transports  before  noon,  on 
what  duty  they  did  not  know  until  they  learned  on  their  arrival 
in  Washington  that  Early  was  at  the  gates  of  the  capital  and 
that  its  only  defenders  were  a few  artillery-men,  some  detach- 
ments of  the  Invalid  corps  and  improvised  organizations  of 
clerks  and  laborers  in  the  department.  The  sight  of  the  Greek 
Cross,  fluttering  at  the  head  of  the  bronzed  and  war-worn  vet- 
erans of  the  Sixth  corps,  gave  welcome  assurance  to  the  anxious 
officers  of  the  government  and  loyal  citizens  of  the  safety  of 
the  city.  At  5 o’clock  in  the  afternoon  of  July  12,  the  day 
after  disembarking,  an  attack  was  made  on  Early,  whose  prin- 
cipal force  was  in  front  of  Fort  Stevens.  General  Wheaton, 
temporarily  commanding  the  division,  reports  that  he  ordered 
Colonel  Bidwell,  commanding  the  Third  brigade,  "to  select 
three  of  his  very  best  regiments  to  assault  and  carry  two  strong, 
wooded  hills  in  front,”  and  that  Colonel  Bidwell  chose  the 
Seventh  Maine  and  the  43d  and  49th  N.  Y.  ; that  the  three 
assaulting  regiments  "dashed  forward,  surprising  and  hotly 
engaging  the  enemy,  who  was  found  to  be  much  stronger  than 
was  supposed,”  so  that  it  became  necessary  to  deploy  the  other 
regiments  of  the  brigade,  and  the  important  points  were  cap- 
tured and  held.  General  Wheaton  reports  : " The  whole  attack 
was  as  gallant  as  it  was  successful,  and  the  troops  never  evinced 
more  energy  and  determination.  The  losses  were  very  severe, 
the  brave  Colonel  Bidwell  losing  many  of  his  most  valuable 
regimental  commanders.”  Every  regimental  commander  in  the 
brigade  was  either  killed  or  wounded.  Major  James  P.  Jones, 
commanding  the  Seventh,  was  one  of  the  three  killed.  Lieut. 
John  E.  Bailey  of  the  Seventh  was  killed  and  Lieut.  George 
FI.  Buker,  wounded.  President  Lincoln  was  among  those  who 
witnessed  the  action  from  Fort  Stevens. 

After  the  fall  of  Major  Jones,  Lieut. -Colonel  Hyde  was 
relieved  at  his  own  request  from  staff  duty  and  assumed  com- 
mand of  the  Seventh.  No  time  was  lost  in  following  Early. 
The  Sixth  corps  and  two  divisions  of  the  Nineteenth,  under 


SEVENTH  REGEMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


463 


General  Wright,  set  out  July  13,  and  the  almost  unbroken 
series  of  marches  that  followed,  in  the  hottest  period  of  sum- 
mer, nearly  wore  out  the  Sixth  corps,  which  had  been  fighting 
and  marching  since  the  first  of  May.  Not  until  its  arrival  at 
Halltown,  on  the  7th  of  August,  did  it  halt  long  enough  for  a 
recuperating  rest,  and  then  it  had  but  a few  days’  respite  from 
toiling  along  dusty  roads  under  a fervid  sun.  At  Halltown, 
Va.,  the  Sixth  corps  was  assigned  to  Sheridan’s  army.  On  the 
10th  of  August  Sheridan  began  his  advance  up  the  Shenandoah. 
Having  reason  to  apprehend  an  attack  in  rear,  he  withdrew  to 
Charlestown  and  his  lines  there  were  assaulted  by  Early  the 
21st  of  August.  The  term  of  service  of  the  Seventh  expired 
that  day,  and  those  of  its  members  who  had  not  re-enlisted 
were  about  to  take  the  cars  for  home  when  the  attack  be^an. 
They  remained  to  take  part  in  the  action  which  resulted  in  the 
repulse  of  the  enemy.  They  were  mustered  out  at  Augusta 
the  5th  of  September — eight  officers  and  sixty-nine  men. 

Fox,  in  his  "Regimental  Losses  in  the  Civil  War,”  includes 
the  Seventh  Maine  in  his  list  of  "Three  Hundred  Fighting  Regi- 
ments” and  gives  statistics  as  follows  : Total  enrollment,  1,165. 
Officers  killed  and  died  of  wounds,  15  ; enlisted  men  killed  and 
died  of  wounds,  113.  Total  killed  and  died  of  wounds,  128, — 
10.9  per  cent  of  enrollment.  Total  killed  and  wounded,  555. 
Died  of  disease,  accidents,  in  prison,  etc.,  3 officers,  209  men ; 
of  this  number  19  died  in  Confederate  prisons. 

Although  the  term  of  the  Seventh  had  expired  and  its  sur- 
viving members  had  been  mustered  out,  its  flag  was  still  flying 
in  the  army  of  the  Potomac  over  five  companies  of  re-enlisted 
men  and  recruits  to  which  had  been  joined  two  companies  of 
the  Fifth  Maine  and  three  of  the  Sixth  Maine  similarly  com- 
posed, the  regiment  retaining  the  designation  of  Seventh  Maine. 
Maj.  S.  C.  Fletcher  of  the  Seventh  was  its  commanding  officer. 
This  regiment  took  part  the  19th  of  September  in  the  action  at 
Opequon  Creek,  otherwise  known  as  the  battle  of  Winchester, 
in  which  the  Sixth  corps  drove  the  enemy  out  of  Winchester, 
and  lost  one  officer,  Lieut.  B.  F.  Bicknell,  killed,  and  17  men 
wounded.  It  also  did  effective  service  at  Fisher’s  Hill,  on  the 
22d  of  the  same  month,  losing  two  men  killed  and  three  wounded. 


464 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


By  a special  order  from  the  headquarters  of  the  Sixth  corps, 
dated  October  2,  the  designation  of  the  regiment  was  changed 
from  "Seventh  Maine”  to  First  Maine  Veterans.  Major  Hyde 
was  commissioned  its  Colonel  October  6,  and  on  the  29th 
Major  Fletcher  was  promoted  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Capt. 
Alexander  B.  Sumner,  formerly  of  the  Sixth  Maine,  Major. 

At  the  great  victory  of  Cedar  Creek,  the  19th  of  October, 
when  the  Union  army  was  surprised  and  put  to  rout  by  an 
attack  in  the  obscurity  of  a misty  morning,  Sheridan,  "riding 
down  from  Winchester,”  found  the  Second  division  of  the  Sixth 
corps  the  only  infantry  force  opposing  the  enemy.  In  his 
report  he  says  : "At  Cedar  Creek  Getty’s  division  of  the  Sixth 
corps  and  Merritt’s  and  Custer’s  divisions  of  cavalry,  under 
Torbert,  confronted  the  enemy  from  the  first  attack  in  the  morn- 
insf  until  the  battle  was  decided.”  The  First  Maine  Veterans 
had  8 men  killed,  2 officers  and  58  men  wounded  in  this  battle. 

Colonel  Hyde,  arriving  a few  days  after  the  battle,  found 
himself  by  virtue  of  his  rank  the  successor  in  the  command  of 
the  Third  brigade,  General  Bidwell  having  been  killed  at  Cedar 
Creek.  He  retained  that  command  until  the  end  of  the  war. 
The  brigade  left  the  Shenandoah  the  9th  of  December  and 
returned  by  rail  to  Washington,  thence  by  transports  to  the 
front  at  Petersburg. 

On  the  25th  of  March  the  Third  brigade  took  part  in  the 
advance  which  resulted  in  capturing  the  enemy’s  intrenched 
rifle-pits.  The  First  Vets,  was  exposed  to  an  artillery  fire 
from  front  and  rear  and  was  enfiladed  from  the  left  by  it. 
When  the  First  brigade  came  up  on  the  right  the  First  Vets, 
was  ordered  to  join  it.  Colonel  Warner,  commanding  that 
brigade,  reports  : "The  behavior  of  the  troops  was  admirable. 
The  pits  and  a crest  about  300  yards  beyond  were  carried, 
capturing  many  prisoners.”  He  mentions  Lieut. -Col.  Fletcher 
among  the  officers  who  "displayed  great  personal  gallantry.” 

In  the  attack  which  broke  the  rebel  lines  on  the  2d  of  April 
the  Third  brigade  formed  the  point  of  the  wedge-like  order  in 
which  the  division  charged.  The  assault  was  successfully  made 
just  before  dawn,  and  the  victorious  division  pierced  the  works 
and  swept  all  before  it  as  far  as  Hatcher’s  Run.  Captain 


SEVENTH  REGIMENT  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


465 


Merrill  of  the  First  Vets,  crossed  the  stream  on  fallen  trees,  and 
with  fourteen  men  captured  and  brought  back  79  prisoners. 
Returning  to  the  camps  it  had  captured,  the  division  halted  for 
coffee,  and  then  advanced  in  line  towards  Petersburg,  the  First 
Yets,  on  the  extreme  left,  in  echelon  to  protect  the  flank. 
Owing  to  the  position  of  the  regiment  and  the  work  of  the 
flanking  party  sent  out  from  it  by  Colonel  Hyde’s  order,  it  was 
largely  instrumental  in  capturing  a battery  which  was  making 
the  last  stand  of  the  day  under  the  personal  supervision  of 
General  Lee.  The  division  advanced  until  it  encountered  the 
skirmishers  of  Longstreet’s  corps.  Then  the  brigade  was 
relieved,  and  the  men,  worn  out  with  their  " nineteen  hours  of 
continuous  marching  and  fighting,”  went  supperless  to  bed  on 
the  ground  at  their  feet,  to  learn  on  waking  in  the  morning  that 
Petersburg  had  surrendered  to  the  pickets,  and  to  feel  that  the 
end  of  the  war  was  at  hand. 

The  Second  division  was  not  called  upon  for  active  work  at 
Sailor’s  Creek,  where  the  crippling  blow  was  dealt  by  the  other 
divisions  of  the  corps.  The  losses  of  the  First  Maine  Veterans 
from  March  29  to  April  9,  1865,  were  one  officer,  Lieutenant 
Messer,  and  two  men  killed,  two  officers  and  26  men  wounded. 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  of  Lee  the  brigade  was 
ordered  to  move  to  the  south  "to  assist  in  the  capture  of  Gen. 
J.  E.  Johnston’s  army.”  It  marched  April  23,  and  on  arriv- 
ing at  Danville,  Va.,  the  27th,  the  news  was  received  that  John- 
ston had  surrendered  the  day  before  to  Sherman.  Colonel 
Hyde  was  made  military  governor  of  Danville  and  the  adjacent 
counties,  and  his  brigade  occupied  the  town  until  the  16th 
of  May,  when  it  went  by  rail  to  Richmond  and  thence  marched 
to  Ball’s  Cross  Roads,  near  Washington,  and  encamped.  The 
Sixth  corps  was  not  in  time  for  "The  Grand  Review,”  and 
therefore  had  a separate  review  by  the  President,  after  which, 
on  the  28th  of  June,  1865,  the  First  Maine  Veterans  was 
mustered  out  at  its  camp. 


466 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Seventh 
Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army  Register, 
published  by  the  War  Department  August  31,  1865,  and  other 
reliable  sources : — 

Mustered  Out,  Term  Expired,  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Colonel:  Edwin  C.  Mason  (R.  A.),  Nov.  5,  1861. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Thomas  W.  Hyde,  Dec.  1, 1863; — commissioned 
Colonel  First  Maine  Vet.  Vols.,  Oct.  6,  1864. 

Captains:  John  W.  Channing,  Aug.  22,  1861,— brevet  Major  and  Lieut.  - 
Col.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  William  Crosby,  June  23,  1864. 

First  Lieutenants:  John  A.  Bachelder,  Aug.  21,  1861;  Franklin 
Glazier,  Jr.,  May  22,  1863, — commis’d  Quartermaster  First  Vets.,  Oct.  12,1864; 
Augustus  F.  Emery,  June  23,  1863,  muster-out  Sept.  5,  1864;  Samuel  S. 
Mann,  Jan.  23,  1864. 

Mustered  Out  with  First  Maine  Veteran  Regt.  June  28,  1865. 

Colonel:  Thomas  W.  Hyde,  commissioned  Oct.  6,  1864;  commanded 
3d  brig.,  2d  div.,  6th  corps  from  Oct.  20,  1864,  to  muster-out; — brevet  Brig.- 
Gen.  Vols.,  Apr.  2,  1S65. 

Lieut. -Colonel:  Stephen  C.  Fletcher,  Major  Seventh,  July  30,  1864, 
tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  pro.  Lieut.-Col.,  Oct.  29,  1864, — brevet  Colonel,  Apr.  2,  1865. 

Captains:  Charles  T.  Withered,  Aug.  15,  1863,  tr.  from  6th  Maine,  tr. 
to  1st  Vets.,  pro.  Major,  not  must’d, — brevet  Major,  Oct.  19,  1864;  George 
McGinley,  Mar.  15,  1864;  George  H.  Buker,  June  23,  1864;  Eli  H.  Webber, 
1st  Lieut.  Seventh,  Oct.  1,  1862,  tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  pro.  Captain,  Nov.  16,  1864; 
William  Crosby,  Capt.  Seventh,  recommissioned  in  1st  Vets,  Nov.  25,  1864; 
Augustus  Merrill,  1st  Lieut.  Seventh,  pro.  Captain  istVets.,  Dec.  31,  1864, — 
brevet  Major,  Apr.  2,  1865;  Warren  T.  Ring,  2d  Lieut.  Seventh,  pro.  1st 
Lieut.,  and  Captain  1st  Vets.,  Feb.  13,  1865;  Walter  B.  Jenness,  Sergt.  Sixth, 
re-enlisted,  pro.  to  Captain  1st  Vets.,  Mar.  25,  1865;  John  B.  Waid,  tr.  from 
6th  Maine,  2d  Lieut.,  pro.  1st  Lieut.,  and  Captain  1st  Vets.,  Mar.  25,  1865; 
John  McLellan,  2d  Lieut.  5th  Maine,  pro.  Captain  1st  Vets.,  May  15,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  Franklin  Glazier,  1st  Lieut.  Seventh,  recommis- 
sioned Quartermaster  in  istVets.,  Oct.  12,  1864;  J.  Augustine  Grenier,  2d 
Lieut.  5th  Maine,  pro.  Adjt.  1st  Vets.,  Nov.  17,  1864;  William  H.  Savage, 
2d  Lieut.  Seventh,  tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  pro.  1st  Lieut.,  Nov.  17,  1864, — brevet 
Captain,  Apr.  2,  1865;  Ira  P.  Wing,  tr.  from  6th  Maine,  2d  Lieut.,  pro.  1st 
Lieut.  istVets.,  Nov.  17,1864;  William  C.  Phinney,  Sergeant  Fifth,  re-enlisted, 
pro.  1st  Lieut.  1st  Vets,  Dec.  31,  1864;  Perry  Greenleaf,  2d  Lieut.  Seventh, 
pro.  1st  Lieut.  istVets.,  Jan.  21,  1865;  Warren  P.  Frazier,  Sergeant  Sixth, 
re-enlisted,  pro.  1st  Lieut.  1st  Vets.,  Feb.  13,  1865;  George  W.  Fogg,  Ser- 
geant Seventh,  pro.  1st  Lieut.  1st  Vets.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  Edward  J.  Dolan, 
Corporal  Fifth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  1st  Lieut.  1st  Vets.,  Apr.  4,  1865;  Daniel  F. 
Goodrich,  Sergt. -Major  Seventh,  pro.  1st  Lieut.  1st  Vets.,  Apr.  4,  1865; 


ROSTER  OE  THE  SEVENTH  REGIMENT. 


467 


William  H.  Blood,  Sergeant  Sixth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  ist  Lieut.  istVets.,  May 
15,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenants:  James  Phair,  Sergeant  Seventh,  re-enlisted, 
pro.  2d  Lieut.  istVets.,  Feb.  13,  1865,  commisioned  ist  Lieut.  June  23,  not 
mustered;  Silas  Smith,  Commis’y-Sergeant  Sixth,  pro.  2d  Lieut,  ist  Vets., 
Feb.  13,  1865;  George  M.  Littlefield,  Sergeant  Fifth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d 
Lieut.  istVets.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  Robert  T.  Crommett,  ist  Sergeant  Seventh, 
re-enlisted,  pro,  2d  Lieut,  ist  Vets.,  Mar.  25,  1865;  Josiah  S.  Brown,  Sergeant 
Seventh,  pro.  2d  Lieut.  istVets.,  Mar.  25,  1865;  Wainwright  Cushing,  Cor- 
poral Sixth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d  Lieut,  ist  Vets.,  Apr.  4,  1865;  Frederick 
Benn,  Sergeant  Seventh,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d  Lieut,  ist  Vets.,  Apr.  4,  1865; 
John  W.  Pettengill,  Sergeant  Sixth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d  Lieut,  ist  Vets.,  Apr. 
26,  1865;  Winfield  S.  Robinson,  Corporal  Fifth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d  Lieut, 
ist  Vets.,  May  15,  1S65. 

Surgeon:  Francis  M.  Eveleth,  Feb.  13,  1863.  Assistant  Surgeons: 
Stillman  P.  Getchell,  tr.  to  ist  Maine  Vet.  Vols.;  Alpheus  Packard,  Jr.,  orig- 
inal commission  in  ist  Vets.,  Oct.  8,  1S64. 

(The  dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission;  those  hereafter 
given  refer  to  the  date  of  event. ) 

Died. 

Colonel:  Thomas  H.  Marshall,  Oct.  25,  1861,  of  disease. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  James  P.  Jones,  killed  in  action  July  12,  1864. 

Captains:  Henry  F.  Hill,  killed  in  action  May  12,  1864;  Joseph  E. 
Walker,  May  17,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Spotsylvania;  Henry  Warren, 
killed  in  action  May  18,  1864;  John  Goldthwait,  tr.  from  5th  Maine  and  to  ist 
Vets.,  died  Apr.  18,  1865,  from  wounds  received  in  action  Mar.  25th. 

First  Lieutenants:  William  L.  Haskell,  Oct.  18,  1862,  of  wounds 
received  at  Antietam, — pro.  Captain,  not  mustered;  Joseph  G.  Butler,  killed 
in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  May  3,  1863;  Adjutant  Charles  H.  Hasey,  May 
15,  1864,  of  wounds  received  May  12th,  battle  of  Spotsylvania;  Alvin  S.  Hall, 
May  17,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action;  Marcellus  Vining,  May  19,  1864, 
of  wounds  received  May  12th;  John  E.  Bailey,  July  31,  1864,  of  wounds 
received  in  battle;  Benjamin  F.  Bicknell,  killed  in  action  Sept.  19  1864;  P. 
Jordan  Mitchell,  tr.  from  5th  Maine,  tr.  to  ist  Vets.,  pro.  Captain,  not  mus- 
tered, died  from  wounds  Nov.  12,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Ara  C.  Brooks,  Sept.  26,  1862,  at  Point  Look- 
out, Md. ; Harlan  P.  Brown,  killed  at  head  of  his  Co.  at  Antietam,  Sept.  17, 
1862;  Charles  A.  Goodwin,  killed  in  battle  of  Antietam,  Sept.  17,  1862; 
Luther  C.  Fairfield,  Nov.  18,  1862;  William  H.  Hooper,  May  17,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  in  battle;  Joseph  Whelpley,  killed  in  action  Mar.  25,  1865, — 
Sergeant  Sixth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d  Lieut,  ist  Vets,,  Nov.  17,  1864,  commis’d 
ist  Lieut.,  not  mustered;  Benjamin  F.  Hunter,  mortally  wounded  Mar.  25, 
1865, — Sergeant  Seventh,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d  Lieut.  istVets.,  Nov.  17,  1864; 
Alvin  A.  Messer,  killed  in  action  Apr.  2,  1865, — Corporal  Seventh,  re-enlisted, 
pro.  2d  Lieut,  ist  Vets.,  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Promoted  and  Transferred  Out  of  Regiment. 

Promoted:  Lieutenant-Colonel:  Selden  Connor,  Jan.  11,  1864,  to 
Colonel  19th  Maine  Vols. ; commissioned  June  11,  1864,  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols. 

Captains:  Charles  D.  Gilmore,  Aug.  29,  1862,  to  Major  20th  Maine  Vols. ; 


468 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


John  B.  Cook,  Jan.  i.  1864,  to  Major  22d  U.  S.  C.  T. ; John  W.  Freese,  Feb. 
17,  1864,  to  1st  D.  C.  Cavalry,  under  President’s  commission,  afterwards  to 
1st  Maine  Cavalry. 

First  Lieutenants:  Quartermaster  John  K.  Russell,  May  6,  1862,  to 
Captain  and  A.  Q.  M. ; Quartermaster  Charles  B.  Whittemore  to  Captain  and 
A.  Q.  M.,  1864;  Adjutant  Elijah  D.  Johnson,  Oct.  13,  1862,  to  Colonel  21st 
Maine  Vols. ; Andrew  M.  Benson,  Feb.  15,  1864,  to  Captain  1st  D.  C.  Cav- 
alry; H.  Warren  Farrar,  June  7,  1864,  to  Captain  and  A.  D.  C. 

Assistant  Surgeon:  Ai  Waterhouse,  Mar.  16,  1864,  to  Surgeon  43d 
U.  S.  C.  T. 

Transferred:  Second  Lieut.  Eugene  Palmer,  not  mustered,  to  Inv.  corps. 

Discharged. 

Major:  Alexander  B.  Sumner,  Captain  6th  Maine,  tr.  to  1st  Vets., 
pro.  Major,  Oct.  29,  1864, — brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Apr.  2,  1865,  disch’d 
by  order  June  16,  1865. 

Captains:  Edward  Williams,  tr.  from  6th  Maine,  tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  disch’d 
Nov.  2,  1864;  Granville  P.  Cochrane,  Dec.  15,  1864,  for  disability;  Timothy 
Swan,  tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  disch’d  Mar.  18,  1865,  term  expired;  Albert  A.  Nicker- 
son, tr.  to  1st  Vets., — brevet  Major,  Oct.  19,  1864,  disch’d  Mar.  23,  1865,  term 
expired. 

First  Lieutenants:  Adjutant  William  H.  Coan,  tr.  from  6th  Maine, 
tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  disch’d  Oct.  29,  1864,  for  disability;  James  A.  Everett,  tr.  to 
istVets.,  disch’d  Feb.  15,  1865,  for  disability;  William  H.  Larrabee,  tr.  to  1st 
Vets.,  pro.  Captain,  not  mustered,  disch’d  Mar.  12,  1865,  term  expired; 
George  R.  Cony,  2d  Lieut.  Seventh,  tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  pro.  1st  Lieut.  Nov.  17, 
1864,  disch’d  Jan.  25,  1865;  Walter  Foss,  commissioned  1st  Lieut.  Fifth,  not 
mustered,  tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  disch’d  for  disability  from  wounds  Mar.  13,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Hiram  Church,  Nov.  23, 1863;  Charles  Lowell, 
Oct.  3,  1864,  on  account  of  wounds;  Lemuel  C.  Small,  tr.  to  1st  Vets.,  term 
expired  Feb.  10,  1865;  Augustus  A.  Dwinal,  May  15,  1865,  for  disability  from 
wounds, — Sergeant  Fifth,  re-enlisted,  pro.  2d  Lieut.  istVets.,  Jan.  31,  1865. 

Chaplains:  James  A.  Varney,  July  13,  1862;  Collamore  Purrington,  tr. 
to  1st  Vets.,  disch’d  June  16,  1865,  by  order. 

Resigned. 

Captains:  Henry  Rolfe,  Dec.  13,  1861;  Greenleaf  K.  Norris,  Nov.  28, 
1861;  William  H.  Cushman,  Dec.  18,  1861;  Hiram  A.  Dalton,  Dec.  21,  1861; 
Charles  H.  Gilman,  July  8,  1862;  Edward  H.  Cass,  Aug.  7,  1862;  George  E. 
Morse,  Oct.  4,  1862;  Henry  C.  Snow,  Feb.  19,  1863. 

First  Lieutenants:  James  M.  Andrews,  Dec.  1,  1861;  Thomas  S. 
Cates,  Jan.  21,  1862;  Adjutant  Henry  S.  Hagar,  Mar.  6,  1862;  George  B. 
Knight,  May  17,  1862;  John  H.  Fogg,  Aug.  5,  1862;  Lyman  M.  Shorey,  Dec. 
21,  1862;  Church  E.  Gates,  Mar.  28,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Simeon  Walton,  Dec.  9,  1861;  Hovey  Austin, 
Dec.  24,  1861;  L.  Byron  Crosby,  June  26,  1862;  Albert  P.  Titcomb,  July  16, 
1862;  Henry  M.  Folsom,  July  16,  1862;  William  G.  Hall,  July  23,  1862. 

Surgeons:  Thomas  C.  Barker,  Dec.  14, 1861;  Samuel  B.  Hunter,  Feb. 
13,  1863. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY. 


469 


MONUMENT 


The  monument  of  this  regiment  stands  on  the  north  side  of  the  Hanover 
road  that  leaves  Gettysburg  on  the  east,  and  near  its  junction  with  the  Low 
Dutch  road,  crossing  the  former  at  nearly  right  angles.  The  front  of  the 
monument  looks  to  the  south  and  faces  the  Hanover  road.  It  bears  upon 
the  face  a design  of  a trooper  in  the  act  of  mounting,  sculptured  in  relief. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  7 feet  6 inches  by  3 feet  by  2 feet;  tablet,  6 
feet  6 inches  by  2 feet  by  8 feet.  Total  height,  10  feet. 

The  following  inscription  is  upon  the  face  of  the  monument:— 

This  Monument  Commemorates  the  Services  of  the 
First  Maine  Cavalry  on  this  Battle-field,  July  3,  1863. 
Col.  C.  H.  Smith,  Commanding. 

3rd  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  Cavalry  Corps. 

The  reverse  of  the  monument  contains  the  following  inscriptions: 

Middletown  Winchester 


of  Richmond 
Todd’s  Tavern 
Hawes’  Shop 
Trevillian  Station 
Deep  Bottom 
Wyatt’s  Farm 
Bellefield 
Dinwiddie  C.  H. 
High  Bridge 


Cedar  Mountain 
South  Mountain 
Fredericksburg 
Brandy  Station 
Middleburg 
Gettysburg 
Sulphur  Springs 
Fortifications 


Second  Bull  Run 
Antietam 

Rappahannock  St’n 

Aldie 

Upperville 

Shepardstown 

Mine  Run 

Old  Church 

Ground  Squirrel 


Church 


Cold  Harbor 
St.  Mary’s  Church 
Reams’  Station 
Boydton  Road 
Hatcher’s  Run 
Sailors’  Creek 
Farmville 


Appomattox  C.  H. 


Number  Enrolled  3226 


Killed  in  Action  ioi. 
Died  of  Disease  171. 


Died  of  Wounds  53. 
Died  in  Prison  165. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY, 

THIRD  BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVISION,  CAVALRY  CORPS, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


IN  the  concentration  upon  Gettysburg,  General  Gregg,  with 
the  First  and  Third  brigades  of  his  division,  left  Hanover 
at  daybreak  on  July  2d,  and  about  noon,  after  a tedious  and 
exhausting  march,  took  position  on  the  Hanover  road,  near  its 
intersection  with  the  Low  Dutch  road,  about  three  and  a half 
miles  east  of  the  town.  The  brigade  of  Gen.  J.  Irvin  Gregg 
was  on  the  left,  and  in  this  brigade  was  the  First  Maine  Cavalry, 
having,  according  to  the  morning  report  of  June  30,  1863,  pres- 
ent for  duty  23  officers  and  396  men.  Many  of  its  officers  and 
men,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  statistics  given  later  on,  were  on 
detached  service  at  corps,  division,  brigade  and  regimental  head- 
quarters. During  the  afternoon  of  July  2d  there  was  some 
skirmish  firing  between  the  opposing  lines,  in  which  some  of 
Irvin  Gregg’s  men  participated.  About  10  o’clock  in  the  eve- 
ning our  line  was  withdrawn,  and  the  two  brigades  moved  over 
to  the  Baltimore  turnpike,  near  our  reserve  artillery,  and  there 
went  into  bivouac.  On  the  morning  of  July  3d  General  Gregg 
resumed  his  position  on  the  right  of  our  infantry  line,  where  the 
division,  together  with  Gen.  Custer’s  Mich,  brigade  of  Kilpat- 
rick’s division,  opposed  the  advance  of  General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart 
in  the  afternoon.  The  First  Maine  was  not  called  into  active 
service  during  the  cavalry  battle  this  afternoon  until  near  its 
close,  when  it  was  ordered  forward  at  the  termination  of  the  fight. 
Speaking  of  this  cavalry  engagement,  Gen.  D.  McM.  Gregg 
says  : "On  July  3,  1863,  we  stood  on  this  field,  armed  men, 
to  resist  the  advance  of  an  enemy  with  whom  we  had  made 
trials  of  strength  ofttimes  before  and  of  late  at  Brandy  Station, 
Aldie,  Middleburg  and  Upperville.  Our  gaze  was  directed  to 
the  northward  as  we  watched  the  approach  of  the  columns  of 
the  enemy ; right  gallantly  did  they  come  sweeping  on,  with 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  PARTICIPANTS. 


471 


such  well-aligned  fronts  and  with  such  tremendous  pace  that  it 
seemed  as  though  nothing  could  stand  against  them.  There 
was  a meeting  of  the  blue  and  gray,  and  for  a time  the  issue  was 
held  in  the  balance. 

" The  struggle  was  ended  by  the  retirement  of  the  enemy 
to  his  starting  point,  discomfited  by  failure,  with  ours  in  hot 
pursuit.  Severe  as  was  the  engagement,  it  could  not  be  asserted 
that  the  Union  forces  that  participated  were  never  in  a severer  ; 
these  fought  too  many  battles  in  that  long  war  for  such  a com- 
parison, but  all  will  agree  they  never  fought  on  a fairer  field. 
Neither  party  asked  nor  expected  aid  from  the  main  armies 
beyond.  Our  enemy  had  the  advantage  in  numbers  and  posi- 
tion ; we  had  the  moral  advantage  of  fighting  on  our  own  heath. 
It  can  safely  be  said  that  on  no  other  field  did  Union  cavalry 
whether  on  foot  or  in  the  saddle  do  more  effective  and  brilliant 
fighting  than  on  this.  Had  it  fought  less  well  here,  the  victory 
would  have  been  with  the  enemy  rather  than  with  us  ” (a) . 

July  4th  the  regiment  reconn oitered  the  position  on  the  right 
of  our  lines,  and  advanced  on  the  following  day  through  Gettys- 
burg to  Cashtown,  pursuing  the  retreating  forces  of  Lee,  and 
captured  a large  number  of  stragglers  from  the  enemy,  besides 
two  or  three  thousand  of  his  wounded.  The  next  day  the  reg- 
iment advanced  to  Chambersburg,  where  it  captured  many  more 
of  the  enemy’s  stragglers.  From  thence  until  July  15th  every 
day  but  one  was  spent  in  marching  to  the  Potomac,  where 
it  crossed  the  river  at  Harper’s  Ferry  on  the  morning  of  the 
15th  of  July. 


PARTICIPANTS. 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Charles  H.  Smith,  Eastport. 

Major,  Stephen  Boothby,  Portland. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Addison  P.  Russell,  Houlton. 

Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  Clarence  D.  Ulmer,  Rockland. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Alexander  M.  Parker,  Westbrook. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Horace  Stevens,  Skowhegan. 

(a)  A shaft  twenty-nine  feet  in  height,  erected  by  the  survivors  of  Gen.  Gregg’s 
division  and  dedicated  Oct.  15, 1884,  marks  the  ground  where  the  hand-to-hand  sabre 
fight  took  place.  This  shaft  and  the  greater  part  of  the  cavalry  battlefield  can  he 
distinctly  seen  from  East  Cemetery  Hill.  Custer’s  Mich,  brigade  is  also  honored  by 
a grand  monument  having  bronze  panels  upon  which,  in  bas-relief,  are  scenes 
illustrating  the  combat. 


472 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Sergeant-Major,  Elisha  A.  Clifford,  Lincoln. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Orrin  S.  Haskell,  Levant. 

Commissary-Sergeant,  Martin  T.  V.  Bowman,  Waterville. 

Hospital  Steward,  Emery  T.  Gatchell,  Brunswick. 

Saddler-Sergeant,  Henry  W.  Norwood,  Bangor. 

Chief  Trumpeter,  Isaac  C.  Brick,  Augusta. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Major  Jonathan  P.  Cilley. 
Thomaston,  Judge  Advocate  on  staff  of  Gen.  Martindale;  Surgeon  George 
W.  Colby,  at  2d  brig.  2d  div.  Cav.  corps  h’dqrs;  Com.  of  Sub.  First  Lieu- 
tenant Eustace  C.  Bigelow,  Portland,  at  2d  brig.  2d  div.  Cav.  corps  h’dqrs; 
Hospital  Steward  Samuel  C.  Lovejoy,  Rockland,  at  2d  div.  hosp. 


Company  A. 

(Including  4 present  sick. ) 

Captain,  Sidney  W.  Thaxter,  Bangor;  commissioned  Major,  not  mustered. 
Second-Lieutenant,  Horace  S.  Cole,  Hampden. 

SERGEANTS. 

Miles  Colbath,  Exeter,  Joseph  W.  Phipps,  Hampden, 

Prentiss  M.  Clark,  Levant,  Sidney  W.  Clark,  Levant. 

CORPORALS. 


Milton  C.  Chapman,  Newburg, 

Ansel  Drew,  Orono, 

Clifford  N.  Mayo,  Hampden. 

Saddler:  John  P.  Cram,  Bangor. 
Farrier:  Frederick  A.  Harriman,  Bangor. 
Wagoner:  John  M.  Mower,  Vassalboro. 

PRIVATES. 


Alonzo  J.  Sawyer,  Bangor, 
Charles  H.  McLaughlin,  Oldtown, 


Bowen,  John  C.,  Hermon, 
Douggons,  William  M.,  Bangor, 
Edgecomb,  Albert,  Exeter, 
Lake,  Enoch  H.,  Levant, 

Luce,  William  H.,  Burnham, 
Mansell,  George  F.,  Bangor, 
Parks,  James,  Oldtown, 

Ricker,  Almon  N.,  Oldtown, 
Stevens,  Asa  M.,  Exeter, 
Stevens,  Edwin  F.,  Corinth, 
Tolman,  John  F.,  Bangor, 


Davis,  Thomas,  Bangor, 

Drew,  Hiram  T.,  Exeter, 

Foss,  Benjamin  R.,  Lee, 

Lewis,  Frank,  Orono, 

Lufkin,  Otis  E.,  Bangor, 

Merrill,  Orrin  L.,  Alton, 

Peavey,  Hiram,  Exeter, 
Severance,  Walter  F.,  Greenbush, 
Stevens,  Charles  H.,  Exeter, 
Sylvester,  Joseph  W.,  Etna, 
Worcester,  Edward  P.,  Carmel. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  First  Lieutenant  Llewellyn 

G.  Estes,  Oldtown,  on  Gen.  Kilpatrick’s  staff.  Sergeant  Elisha  B.  Cleave- 
land,  Lee,  pioneer  corps.  Privates:  Charles  E.  Gardiner,  Palermo,  William 

H.  Severance,  Greenbush,  and  Samuel  A.  Thompson,  Lee,  pioneer  corps; 
George  M.  Gray,  Oldtown,  hosp.  dept.;  Darius  Peavey,  Exeter,  and  John  R. 
Thurston,  Bangor,  q’rm’r  dept.;  Martin  P.  Colbath,  Exeter,  Charles  D.  Fur- 
bish, Bangor,  Ephraim  B.  Humphrey,  Hampden,  Augustus  Lord,  Jr.,  Levant, 
James  B.  Peaks,  Oldtown,  and  Harris  G.  Webber,  Bangor,  with  the  com- 
pany; William  S.  Smith,  Madison,  teamster  amm’11  train;  James  M.  Doe, 
Orono,  Luther  J.  Mack,  Sidney,  Lewis  W.  Soule,  Frankfort,  Benjamin  F. 
Young,  Brewer,  William  Young,  Exeter. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  PARTICIPANTS. 


473 


Company  B. 

(Including  2 present  sick.) 

First  Lieutenant,  William  P.  Coleman,  Lincolnville,  commanding  company. 

SERGEANTS. 

Orderly  Sergeant,  Jacob  B.  Loring,  Thomaston, 

Quartermaster  Sergeant,  James  W.  Poor,  Belfast, 

Commissary  Sergeant,  Elbridge  Burton,  Thomaston, 

Aurelius  Parker,  St.  George,  Austin  McCobb,  Lincolnville, 

Alfred  C.  Strout,  Thomaston. 

Corporal:  John  Thompson,  Searsmont. 

BUGLERS. 

Eben  F.  Brier,  Belfast,  Henri  J.  Haskell,  Palmyra. 

Saddler:  John  W.  Leighton,  Belfast. 

Farrier:  Samuel  M.  Holden,  Casco. 

PRIVATES. 

Barrows,  Roscoe  J.,  Lincolnville,  Bowler,  Marquis,  Palermo, 


Brown,  Charles  S.,  Freedom, 
Cartin,  Alvin  A.,  Hope, 
Guptill,  Lemuel  H.,  Belfast, 
Jones,  Eugene  F.,  Union, 
McGuire,  Alfred  D.,  Howland, 
Phenix,  Charles  B.,  Union, 
Shorey,  Samuel,  Belfast. 


Carr,  Martin,  Thomaston, 
Clark,  Edward  H.,  Biddeford, 
Hawes,  Henry  A.,  Union, 
McAllister,  Joseph,  Rockland, 
McIntyre,  Charles  A.,  Warren, 
Robbins,  John  R.,  Swanville, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Captain  Benjamin  F. 
Tucker,  U.  S.  Army,  and  Second  Lieut.  Frank  M.  Cutter,  Union,  on  Gen. 
Gregg’s  staff.  Corporal  Samuel  Burrows,  Friendship,  and  Wagoner  Rodney 
Sparrow,  Lhiion,  q’rm’r  dept.  Privates:  McKendree  Davis,  Friendship, 
Willard  H.  Lucas,  Union,  John  Morse,  Brunswick,  Burnham  C.  Sleeper, 
Rockland,  Orra  P.  Spear,  Warren,  Abiezer  Veazie,  Jr.,  Camden,  and  Ezekiel 
Winslow,  Rockland,  q’rm’r  dept.;  William  W.  Barlow,  Union,  and  Eri  A. 
Johnson,  Camden,  with  Col.  Phelps;  Alonzo  Beckwith,  Belfast,  Orderly  for 
Gen.  Pleasanton;  Alfred  Crocker,  Bangor,  Joshua  Dow,  Warreu,  and  George 
W.  Eaton,  Waldo,  div.  amb.  corps;  Benson  Gowen,  Bangor,  hosp.  dept.; 
Surmandel  Richards,  Belfast,  div.  ammunition  train. 

Company  C. 

(Including  1 present  sick.) 
sergeants. 

Ord. Sergt., Horatio  S. Libby, Gardiner,  Henry  F.  Lyons,  Manchester, 
Francisco  Colburn,  Windsor,  Edward  W.  McClure,  Bowdoinham, 

Quartermaster  Sergeant,  William  A.  Winter,  Farmingdale, 

Commissary  Sergeant,  Charles  H.  Merrill,  Gardiner. 

CORPORALS. 

Lorenzo  Chamberlain,  Hallowed,  Thomas  J.  Neal,  Southport, 

George  E.  Nason,  Hallowed,  Samuel  R.  McCurdy,  China, 

William  Dockendorff,  Windsor. 

Bugler:  Alonzo  D.  Harper,  Worcester,  Mass. 

Saddler:  William  Trimble,  Calais. 

FARRIERS. 

Moses  S.  Pinkham,  Plymouth,  Michael  Whalen,  Whitefield. 


474 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


PRIVATES. 


Abbott,  J.  Holman,  Winslow, 
Arnold,  Perry,  Sidney, 
Chadwick,  David,  Palermo, 
Mariner,  Ambrose,  Augusta, 
Peva,  Freeman  C.,  Windsor, 
Ridley,  Luther,  Gardiner, 
Snell,  Charles,  Sidney, 

Tozier,  Emelus,  Monmouth, 


Andrews,  Eben,  Gardiner, 
Burns,  John,  Embden, 

Hildreth,  Charles  A.,  Gardiner, 
McCauslin,  Franklin,  Detroit, 
Ridley,  Jerome,  Jr.,  Richmond, 
Sanborn,  Charles  H.,  Dixmont, 
Stevens,  David  M.,  Gardiner, 
Weiler,  William,  Vassalboro, 


Whitehouse,  Charles  H.,  Vassalboro,  Wood,  Benjamin  S.,  Gardiner. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Joseph  A.  Clark, 
Sidney,  William  B.  Dunham,  Vassalboro,  and  Parker  G.  Lunt,  Gardiner, 
Orderlies  for  Gen.  Gregg;  William  Elliott,  Vassalboro,  Edward  Gilley, 
Augusta,  William  M.  Goodspeed,  China,  John  M.  Mosher,  Augusta,  Albion 
P.  Webb,  Fairfield,  Charles  Whitten,  Detroit. 

Company  D. 

(Including  i present  sick.) 

Second  Lieutenant,  Andrew  H.  Bibber,  Eastport,  commanding  company. 
Acting  Second  Lieutenant,  George  E.  Bugbee,  Perry,  comm’d,  not  mustered. 

SERGEANTS. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant,  John  Gilley,  Mt.  Desert, 

William  B.  Baker,  Orrington,  John  H.  Daggett,  Orland, 

Augustus  R.  Devereux,  Penobscot,  Nathaniel  Bowden,  2d,  Penobscot. 

CORPORALS. 


Joseph  H.  Lawrence,  Orland, 
Lyman  P.  Leighton,  Addison, 

Andrew  B.  Stetson,  Eastport, 


Andrews,  George  P.,  Eastport, 
Batchelder,  Theodore  J.,  Bucksport, 
Carle,  Lauriston  W.,  Lyman, 

Doe,  Erastus  A.,  Lubec, 

Huston,  Albert  N.,  Bucksport, 
Johnson,  Albert  R.,  Perry, 

Moore,  Moses  D.,  Biddeford, 
Preston,  Robert,  Machias, 

Towle,  Francis  E.,  Indian  River  PI., 
Williams,  James  T.,  Eastport. 


Joseph  N.  Harrington,  Penobscot, 
William  B.  Grant,  Penobscot. 
farriers. 

William  P.  Sennett,  Calais. 

PRIVATES. 

Annas,  Alonzo,  Charlotte, 

Bell,  Charles  H.,  Jr.,  Eastport, 
Crane,  Elbridge  C.,  Kenduskeag, 
Foss,  William  L.,  Machias, 
Hutchins,  Newell  S.,  Verona, 
Lane,  Leander,  Biddeford, 

Moore,  Wilson  J.,  Unity, 

Sawyer,  Edwin  H.,  Orland, 

Vose,  Elisha,  Robbinston, 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Phineas  Foster, 
Jr.,  East  Machias.  Corporals:  Eben  L.  Shackford,  Eastport,  Silas  Leach, 
Penobscot,  and  Willard  R.  Merrill,  Calais,  teamsters  q’rm’r  dept.  Saddler 
Elijah  C.  Wilder,  Eastport,  brig,  h’dqrs.  Privates:  William  H.  Ayers, 
Charlotte,  hosp.  dept.;  Loring  W.  Bell,  Eastport,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Reynolds; 
Eleazer  Eddy,  Eddington,  Silas  P.  Pendleton,  Meddybemps,  and  Joseph  W. 
Tatten,  Calais,  Orderlies  for  Gen.  Gregg;  Charles  Gilpatrick,  Orland,  Orderly 
for  Gen.  Kilpatrick;  Gilbert  N.  Harris,  Eastport;  George  D.  S.  Robinson, 
Machias,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Tower;  Charles  Hutchins,  Calais,  mail  agt.  div. 
h’dqrs;  Jonathan  P.  Moulton,  Biddeford,  Lewis  Prescott,  Phillips,  and  Isaiah 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  PARTICIPANTS. 


475 


O.  Richardson,  Orland,  pioneer  corps;  John  Sennett,  Meddybemps,  with 
company;  W.  Frank  Smith,  Biddeford,  regt’l  h’dqrs;  Mark  P.  Bulmer,  Perry, 
Thomas  Day,  Mt.  Desert,  Peter  N.  Kane,  Eastport,  Lemuel  R.  Lurvey,  Mt. 
Desert,  Edward  F.  Morrill,  Jay,  James  E.  Stayner,  Eastport,  Alpheus  H. 
Ward,  Meddybemps. 

Company  E. 

(Including  i present  sick.) 

Captain,  Osco  A.  Ellis,  Lincoln. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  W.  Hussey,  Houlton. 


SERGEANTS. 

Orderly  Sergeant,  Winfield  S.  Collins,  Houlton, 

Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Charles  M.  Bailey,  Chelsea, 

John  A.  Heald,  Lincoln,  Daniel  W.  Haines,  Fort  Fairfield, 

James  J.  Gray,  Houlton. 


CORPORALS. 

Lyman  Vose,  Houlton,  Edward  W.  Shields,  Linneus, 

Christopher  C.  Dunn,  Houlton,  George  Kitchen,  Houlton, 

John  McCurdy,  Princeton,  Bohan  Field,  Lee. 

Saddler:  Benjamin  A.  Osborne,  Lincoln. 

Farrier:  Charles  W.  Lyons,  Houlton. 

PRIVATES. 


Beatham,  Robert,  Enfield, 
Conners,  Peter,  Houlton, 
Daggett,  Washington,  Hodgdon, 
Decker,  John  C.,  Fort  Fairfield, 
Fellows,  Samuel,  Biddeford, 
Gardiner,  Albert,  Fort  Fairfield, 
Hunter,  John  M.,  Houlton, 

Luce,  Hezekiah,  Monticello, 
Nodstrom,  Charles  E.,  Perry, 
Sanborn,  Benjamin  F.,  Houlton, 
Small,  Albert,  Belfast, 

Smith,  James,  London,  Eng., 


Burgess,  Hiram  E.,  Matinicus  Isle, 
Daggett,  Monroe,  Cary  PI., 

Decker,  Edward  E.,  Fort  Fairfield, 
Donnelly,  James,  Presque  Isle, 
Forrest,  Thomas,  Houlton, 

Greeley,  Warren  J.,  Haynesville, 
Knapp,  John  P.,  New  York  City, 
Morrill,  William,  Biddeford, 

O’Brien,  William,  Houlton, 

Scannel,  Timothy,  Bridgewater, 
Small,  William,  Belfast, 

Snow,  William  R.,  Woodstock,  N.  B., 


Stevens,  Wilbur  J.,  Athens. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Ansel  Smith, 
Maysville.  Corporals:  Elijah  E.  Hall,  Enfield,  Oscar  Richardson,  Portland, 
Christopher  C.  Dunn,  Houlton.  Privates:  Elbridge  G.  Chandler,  Foxcroft, 
Patrick  Cleary,  Houlton,  Albert  E.  Knights,  Saco,  Henry  A.  Ramsdell, 
Lincoln;  Roscoe  G.  Beals,  Leeds,  hosp.  dept.;  Francis  Ingraham,  Ludlow, 
James  K.  Mann,  Hudson,  and  James  E.  Siprell,  Monticello,  pioneer  corps; 
Michael  Mangan,  Bangor,  Gustavus  L.  Mills,  Lincoln,  William  A.  Osborn, 
Lincoln,  Charles  H.  Scammon,  Lincoln,  and  Charles  E.  Shields,  Linneus, 
quartermaster  department. 


Company  F. 

(Including  i present  sick.) 
First  Lieutenant,  William  Harris,  Machias. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  L.  Boyd,  Amherst. 

SERGEANTS. 

Orderly  Sergeant,  Joel  Wilson,  Gorham, 

Quartermaster  Sergeant,  John  E.  Lougee,  Parsonsfield, 


476 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Commissary  Sergeant,  Harrison  }.  Jack,  Westbrook, 

Lorenzo  White,  Paris. 

CORPORALS. 

Harmon  T.  Henley,  Cape  Elizabeth,  John  T.  Lord,  Limington, 
Charles  W.  Skillings,  Portland,  Waldo  C.  Beals,  Patten, 

Lewis  Merrill,  Oxford,  Levi  Toothaker,  Brunswick. 

BUGLERS. 

Charles  F.  Dam,  Portland,  Albert  C.  Skillings,  Portland. 

FARRIERS. 

Samuel  J.  Knowlton,  Boothbay,  Frederick  L.  Chick,  Limington. 


Evans,  John  G.,  Guilford, 

Gore,  Charles  H.,  Westbrook, 
Hamilton,  Ivory  W.,  Waterboro, 
Lougee,  Enoch  W.,  Parsonsfield, 
Murch,  Alfred  B.,  Baldwin, 
Pierce,  Alfred,  Baldwin, 

Ring,  James  A.,  Dover, 
Sampson,  Enoch,  Augusta, 
Soule,  Horatio  B.,  Yarmouth, 
Whitcomb,  Ripley  C.,  Waldo, 


PRIVATES. 

Blackington,  George  E.,  Warren,  Cummings,  Fred  A.,  Paris, 

Cutting,  George  D.,  Waterboro, 

Friend,  Tyler  B.,  Alfred, 

Hamilton,  Dimon,  Waterboro, 

Hawks,  Nathaniel  S.,  Alfred, 

Lougee,  William  H.,  Parsonsfield, 

Perkins,  Isaac  T.,  Biddeford, 

Pitts,  Isaac  S.,  Waterboro, 

Royal,  George  S.,  Pownal, 

Shepherd,  Albert  D.,  Belfast, 

Tukesbury,  George  D.,  Portland, 

Wyman,  Charles  W.,  Cumberland. 

Wagoner:  Samuel  H.  Jackson,  Portland. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Captain  Walstein  Phillips, 
Portland,  on  Gen.  Gregg’s  staff. 

Sergeants:  Elisha  DeWolf  Harris,  Portland,  George  H.  Chase,  Yar- 
mouth, James  A.  Chase,  Freeport.  Privates:  Alvin  M.  Brackett,  Yarmouth, 
Peter  C.  Conner,  Paris,  Joseph  T.  Darling,  Cape  Elizabeth,  Nathaniel  S. 
Edwards,  Parsonsfield,  Harrison  S.  Evans,  Greenbush,  Melvin  W.  Eveleth, 
Portland,  Henry  F.  Hallowell,  Portland,  Isaac  S.  Harris,  Warren,  Jonas  W. 
Mason,  Portland,  Frank  Pacott,  Rockland,  James  Smith,  New  Gloucester, 
Charles  H.  Sylvester,  Portland,  Stephen  Twombly,  Yarmouth. 

Company  G. 

(Including  2 present  sick.) 

Captain,  Isaac  G.  Virgin,  Dixfield. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  E.  Hunton,  East  Livermore. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel  B.  M.  Lovejoy,  East  Livermore. 

sergeants. 

Henry  Little,  Auburn,  Boynton  Grover,  Bowdoin, 

Cyrus  T.  Reed,  East  Livermore. 

Bugler:  William  Maloon,  Jr.,  Bowdoin. 

Saddler:  Ira  I.  McFarland,  Palmyra. 

farriers. 

William  Foy,  Canton,  Albert  Smith,  Canton. 

PRIVATES. 

Baker,  Frederick  M.,  Lewiston,  Coffin,  Joseph  H.,  Webster, 
Collamore,  Elijah,  Lewiston,  Doble,  William,  Livermore, 

Forsyth,  Nelson  S.,  Lewiston,  Fuller,  William  F.,  Wilton, 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  PARTICIPANTS. 


477 


Kelsey,  John  B.,  Canton,  Mitchell,  John,  Jay, 

Mower,  Thomas  H.,  Greene,  Northrop,  George,  Hanover,  N.  H., 

Robinson,  Lucius  M.,  Hartford,  Rose,  Seth  G.,  Leeds, 

Woodbury,  Collins,  Bangor. 

Wagoner:  Orren  R.  Stetson,  Canton. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  John  B.  Drake, 
East  Livermore,  and  Privates,  Benjamin  M.  Corliss,  Hartford,  James  D. 
Foster,  Gray,  Carlton  T.  Gleason,  Dixfield,  Israel  M.  Hatch,  Lewiston, 
Alonzo  P.  Russell,  Livermore,  and  George  W.  White,  Dixfield,  Orderlies 
for  Gen.  Patrick,  Provost  Marshal,  A.  of  P.;  Charles  R.  Delano,  Turner, 
George  M.  Delano,  Turner,  and  George  E.  Reed,  East  Livermore,  Order- 
lies for  Gen.  Paul;  Charles  W.  Jordan,  Lewiston,  and  William  S.  McClan- 
ning,  Yarmouth,  Orderlies  at  ist  brig,  h’dqrs;  Levi  W.  Wheeler,  Leeds, 
teamster  div.  h’dqrs;  Russell  S.  Bradbury,  Greene,  and  Eben  J.  Pulsifer, 
Poland,  hosp.  dept.;  Dennis  Carty,  East  Livermore,  John  Coffin,  Webster, 
and  Leonard  L.  Rose,  Leeds,  q’rm’r  dept.;  Edmund  C.  Bowker,  Sumner, 
and  Hanson  S.  Field,  Hartford,  with  co.;  Henry  A.  Child,  Paris,  William 
H.  Farnum,  Rumford,  Orlando  A.  Hayford,  Peru,  Riley  L.  Jones,  Lewiston. 

Company  H. 

First  Lieutenant,  Henry  C.  Hall,  Starks. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Nathan  V.  Cook,  Solon, 

John  H.  Wyman,  Skowhegan,  George  E.  Goodwin,  Skowhegan. 

CORPORALS. 

Philander  S.  Herrin,  Skowhegan, 
Benjamin  C.  Mosher,  Starks, 

David  H.  Whittier,  Harmony. 

George  W.  Smith,  Skowhegan. 

FARRIERS. 

Benjamin  J.  Springer,  Richmond,  William  Hinkley,  Richmond. 

PRIVATES. 


Robert  A.  Heal,  Lincolnville, 
John  F.  Robinson,  Palmyra, 
Daniel  M.  Foster,  Skowhegan, 
Saddler: 


Buzzell,  Samuel  L.,  St.  Albans, 
Cyphers,  Martin  C.,  Ripley, 
Douglass,  George  F.,  Hartland, 
Emerson,  Elisha  D.,  St,  Albans, 
Harlow,  James  H.,  Embden, 
Lewis,  William  N.,  Dennysville, 
Merrill,  Charles  C.,  Harmony, 
Murphy,  Dennis,  Skowhegan, 
Russell,  Cyrus  M.,  Madison, 
Tibbetts,  Silas  F.,  Concord, 
Webster,  Daniel,  Exeter, 


Corson,  Charles  A.,  Starks, 

Doane,  Edward  H.,  Palmyra, 
Dykes,  William  R.,  Dennysville, 
Foster,  William  E.,  Skowhegan, 
Heal,  Luther  L.,  Lincolnville, 
Marshall,  Benjamin  F.,  Skowhegan, 
Moore,  William  H.,  St.  Albans, 
Perkins,  Thomas  H.,  Fairfield, 
Smith,  Charles,  Skowhegan, 
Varney,  Henry  J.,  Skowhegan, 
Willey,  Llewellyn  L.,  Corinna, 


Young,  William  A.,  Wayne. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Second  Lieut.  William 
F.  Stone,  Portland,  q’rm’r  dept.  Sergeants:  Willard  H.  Phelps,  Hartland, 
Charles  H.  Foster,  Skowhegan.  Wagoner  Calvin  H.  Brown,  Palmyra,  hosp. 
dept.  Privates:  Franklin  B.  Foss,  Bingham,  and  Joseph  Pomlow,  Solon, 
q’rm’r  dept.;  Moses  H.  Fogg,  Wales,  and  Llewellyn  W.  Fogg,  Lewiston, 
hosp.  dept.;  John  A.  Hutchins,  Brighton,  and  Charles  E.  Roberts,  Solon, 


478 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Orderlies  for  Gen.  Gregg;  Aaron  F.  Bickford,  Madison,  John  H.  Garnett, 
Dennysville,  Augustus  W.  Kimball,  Harmony,  John  B.  Leathers,  St.  Albans, 
Charles  H.  Marsh,  No.  2,  Aroostook  Co.,  George  H.  Mayberry,  Solon, 
George  H.  Rich,  Bangor,  Phineas  P.  Steward,  Skowhegan. 

Company  I. 

Captain,  Paul  Chadbourne,  Waterboro. 

First  Lieutenant,  Frank  W.  Pray,  Shapleigh. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  R.  Andrews,  Biddeford. 

SERGEANTS. 

Orderly  Sergeant,  Samuel  C.  Smith,  Alfred, 

Collins  M.  Chadbourne,  Waterboro,  George  M.  Emery,  Buxton, 

George  W.  York,  Lyman,  John  F.  Hill,  Berwick, 

Charles  C.  Goodwin,  Wells,  John  C.  Roberts,  Newfield. 

CORPORALS. 

Leonard  Webber,  Newfield,  Simon  Garvin,  Shapleigh, 

George  D.  Harvey,  North  Berwick,  Fred  C.  Drew,  Biddeford. 

Farrier:  Danville  Newbegin,  Newfield. 

PRIVATES. 


Allen,  Ivory  R.,  Waterboro, 
Cleaves,  Horatio  M.,  Dayton, 
Doxey,  John,  Alfred, 

Fowler,  Samuel  H.,  Waterboro, 
Gurney,  Isaac  P.,  Biddeford, 
Hodsdon,  Moses  M.,  Hollis, 

Hurd,  Robert  F.,  Berwick, 
Johnson,  John  B.,  Biddeford, 
Littlefield,  Oliver  B.,  Wells, 
Merrick,  Stephen  W.,  Sanford, 
Perkins,  Daniel,  Biddeford, 
Shehan,  James  R.,  Biddeford, 
Stoddard,  Augustine  O.,  Appleton, 


Allen,  Walter,  Wells, 

Cornell,  Edward,  Thomaston, 

Eaton,  Albert  J.,  Wells, 

Goodrich,  John  H.,  Alfred, 

Hill,  Jeremiah,  Waterboro, 

Huntress,  Henry  O.,  York, 
Hutchinson,  Joseph,  Biddeford, 
Littlefield,  Charles  F.,  North  Berwick, 
Mann,  George  W.,  New  Sharon, 
Merryfield,  Jacob,  Waterboro, 
Perkins,  George  E.,  Newfield, 

Spear,  Edward,  Saco, 

Waterhouse,  Eli  S.,  Biddeford. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporal  Henry  A.  Willis, 
Thomaston,  Ord’ly  for  the  Colonel.  Buglers:  Benjamin  F.  Libby,  Newfield, 
brig,  band;  Alvah  M.  Libby,  Limerick.  Privates:  Thomas  P.  Coombs, 
Biddeford,  dism’t’d  camp;  Joseph  R.  Curtis,  Belfast,  with  Gen.  Kilpatrick; 
Moses  Bedell,  North  Berwick,  William  Bond,  Newfield,  Albert  M.  Cole, 
Waterboro,  Leland  F.  Davis,  Berwick,  Daniel  H.  Elliott,  Winslow,  Andrew' 
J.  Goodale,  Wells,  William  H.  Hall,  Waterboro,  Elbridge  G.  Johnson,  Bid- 
deford, Simeon  M.  Knight,  Waterboro,  Daniel  J.  Meeds,  Biddeford,  Delmont 
Moor,  North  Berwick,  Samuel  H.  Murphy,  Buxton,  Russell  Murry,  Newfield, 
Edward  Taylor,  Kennebunkport,  Freedom  Warren,  Waterboro,  James  V. 
Wood,  Newfield,  John  P.  Wood,  Newfield. 

Company  K. 

(Including  1 present  sick.) 

First  Lieut.,  Charles  W.  Ford,  Bristol,  com’g  Co.  from  June  17  to  Sept.  17,  ’63. 

SERGEANTS. 

Commissary  Sergeant,  Albert  W.  Hanson,  Bath, 

Ruel  B.  Stinson,  Bath,  William  M.  Herbert,  Bristol, 

Thomas  J.  Sanford,  Bowdoinham,  promoted  for  bravery. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  PARTICIPANTS. 


479 


CORPORALS. 

Charles  A.  Stevens,  Littleton,  Silas  C.  Trafton,  Georgetown. 

Bugler:  William  H.  Drew,  Richmond. 

Farrier:  Levi  Crowell,  Rockland. 

PRIVATES. 


Carpenter,  Alpheus,  Bath, 

Cox,  George  H.,  Bath, 

Grant,  John  P.,  South  Berwick, 
Sheahan,  John  P.,  Dennysville, 
Staples,  William,  Eaton  Grant, 
Welch,  Charles,  York, 


Ambrose,  Charles,  Bath, 

Como,  Peter,  Bath, 

Gallagher,  John,  Fort  Fairfield, 

Looney,  Michael,  Clare,  Ire., 

Spencer,  William,  Plymouth, 

Wall,  Andrew,  St.  George, 

Witham,  William,  Bath. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Corporals:  Winsor  B.  Smith, 
Portland,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Wadsworth;  Louira  K.  Broad,  Houlton,  pioneer 
corps.  Privates:  Charles  E.  Hamilton,  Portland,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Wads- 
worth; Solomon  Poole,  Rockport,  Mass.,  and  Albert  R.  Walker,  Berwick, 
Orderlies  for  Gen.  Reynolds;  Cornelius  V.  Baker,  Houlton,  q’rm’r  dept.; 
James  W.  Chamberlain,  Bath,  and  Zebard  F.  Hysom,  Bristol,  with  the  co. ; 
Josiah  Gatchell,  Brunswick,  hosp.  dept.;  Albert  G.  Merrill,  Brunswick,  div. 
hosp.  dept.;  Edwin  C.  Teague,  Newcastle.  Bugler  James  Edgar,  Houlton, 
brig,  h’dqrs.  Wagoner  Melville  C.  Crooker,  Bath,  teamster  2d  cav.  div.  h’dqrs. 

Company  L. 

(At  First  Army  Corps  Headquarters.) 

Captain,  Constantine  Taylor,  U.  S.  Army. 

First  Lieutenant,  Zenas  Vaughan,  Freeman,  at  regiment  headquarters. 
Second  Lieutenant,  John  P.  Carson,  Mt.  Vernon. 

SERGEANTS. 

Ord.  Sergt. , Hiram  M.  Stevens,  Starks,  Charles  O.  Gordon,  Phillips, 

Justus  Webster,  Farmington,  Levi  H.  Daggett,  New  Sharon, 

Allen  H.  Washburn,  Madison,  William  J.  Crooker,  Alton. 

CORPORALS. 

Freeland  N.  Holman,  Temple,  Isaac  S.  Starbird,  Freeman, 

Austin  L.  Jones,  Weld,  Walter  S.  Snell,  Madison. 

Bugler:  Rufus  G.  Ellsworth,  Freeman. 

Wagoner:  Charles  Heald,  Sherman. 

Farrier:  Sherman  H.  Rogers,  Anson. 

Saddler:  Christopher  McDonald,  Portage  Lake  PI. 

privates. 

Bangs,  Roscoe  R.,  Strong,  Barnard,  Otis  M.,  Chesterville, 

Brooks,  Alanson  V.,  Farmington,  Brown,  Orin  H.,  Patten, 


Bump,  Hosea  P.,  Dead  River  PL, 
Currie,  David,  Portage  Lake  PL, 
Douglass,  Abner  L.,  Bradford, 
Earle,  Henry  D.,  Litchfield, 

Fish,  Austin  A.,  Lexington, 
Gould,  Asa  S.,  New  Sharon, 
Harris,  Jason  F.,  New  Sharon, 
Mace,  Edward  A.,  Farmington, 
Ordway,  Augustus,  Island  Falls, 
Perkins,  John  H.,  New  Sharon, 


Clarkson,  Charles  B.,  Rockland, 
Daley,  James  B.,  Patten, 
Dunsmoor,  Rufus  M.,  Temple, 
Emery,  Carlton  P.,  Industry, 
Frazer,  Alexander,  Masardis, 
Harris,  Albert  H.,  Littleton, 
Hovey,  Silas  G.,  Farmington, 
Odell,  Solomon  H.,  Farmington, 
Painter,  James  W , Masardis, 
Pinkham,  James,  Industry, 


480 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Pratt,  Alonzo  M.,  New  Sharon, 
Reed,  Charles  M.,  Clinton  Gore, 
Thomas,  John  B.,  Brownville, 
Thompson,  Benjamin  F.,  Jay, 


Pinkham,  Samuel,  Industry, 

Pratt,  Beniah  W.,  New  Vineyard, 

Ricker,  Milton  F.,  Livermore, 

Thompson,  Albert,  Farmington, 

Wright,  Alonzo  T.,  Weld. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service  (These  were  not  with  the 
company,  but  may  have  been  with  the  regiment  if  not  otherwise  specified): 
Sergeant  Ebenezer  S.  Johnson,  New  Sharon,  with  Gen.  Robinson.  Corpo- 
ral Edmund  B.  Clayton,  Farmington.  Bugler  Henry  A.  Folsom,  Fayette. 
Privates:  Augustus  D.  Brown,  Chesterville,  Orderly  for  Col.  Roy  Stone, 
com’g  brig.;  Edward  Cunningham,  Patten,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Doubleday; 
William  S.  Bean,  New  Sharon,  Webster  Bell,  N.  Y.  City,  Collamore  I.  Clay- 
ton, Farmington,  Rufus  M.  Clayton,  Freeman,  Levi  W.  Gould,  New  Sharon, 
Ezra  H.  McKeen,  Farmington,  George  A.,  Shay,  Argyle,  Orrin  Shepley, 
Bangor,  Cyrus  L.  Stevens,  Freeman,  Henry  A.  Thompson,  Dead  River  PL, 
Reuben  Vinal,  Vinalhaven,  Edmund  W.  Whitney,  Farmington,  Thomas  P. 
Williams,  New  Portland. 

Company  M. 

Captain,  George  M.  Brown,  Bangor. 

SERGEANTS. 

William  H.  Bradman,  Parkman, 
Erving  Curtis,  Abbot, 


Charles  K.  Johnson,  Carmel, 
John  G.  Fassett,  Abbot, 

Asa  F.  Hanson,  Atkinson. 


CORPORALS. 

Edward  Jordan,  Bangor, 
George  A.  Bartlett,  Bangor. 
FARRIERS. 

Horace  B.  Emery,  New  Sharon,  John  F.  Wharff,  Guilford. 

PRIVATES. 


John  W.  Rogers,  Hallowell, 
Franklin  Prescott,  Newburg, 


Bartlett,  Aaron,  Dover, 

Bray,  George  H.,  Monson, 
Corliss,  Marcellus,  Carmel, 
Cushman,  George  H.,  Monson, 
Files,  Joseph  P.,  Detroit, 

Green,  Hermon  R.,  Monson, 

Hall,  Sullivan  T.,  Abbot, 
Huntington,  Daniel  B.,  Atkinson, 
Leeman,  Roscoe  G.,  Abbot, 
Miner,  John  L.,  Glenburn, 

Porter,  Ruel  K.,  Plymouth, 
Robinson,  Preston,  Fairfield, 
Southard,  Beldin,  Alton, 

Thomas,  Robert  T.,  Monson, 
Varney,  Joseph,  Newburg, 


Boyd,  William  M.,  Amherst, 
Chamberlain,  Isaac,  Lincoln, 
Cross,  Eben  G.,  Hudson, 
Fassett,  George  L.,  Abbot, 
Flint,  Thomas,  Abbot, 
Greene,  Oscar  F.  A.,  Troy, 
Harvey,  John  F.,  Carmel, 
Ingalls,  Emery  G.,  Detroit, 
Lowell,  Charles  H.,  Abbot, 
Phillips,  George  P.,  Chester, 
Roberts,  Seth,  Monson, 
Rogers,  George,  Bradford, 
Stewart,  Moses,  Monson, 
Tibbetts,  George,  Monson, 
West,  Llewellyn  J.,  Franklin. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Zebina  B.  Hair, 
Sebec.  Corporal  Ebenezer  P.  Davis,  Monson,  with  First  corps.  Privates: 
John  F.  Ford,  Greenville,  and  Charles  Gould,  Veazie,  with  First  corps;  John 
S.  French,  Franklin,  and  Isaac  Oakman,  Whitefield,  brig,  train;  George  G. 
Herrin,  Guilford,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Reynolds;  Frank  Gates,  Monson,  Orderly; 
Cyrus  M.  Geary,  Dover,  Augustus  A.  Graves,  Guilford,  Alexander  L. 
Walker,  Atkinson. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  MONUMENT  DEDICATION.  481 


REVISED  REPORT  OF  CASUALTIES. 

Company  B. 

Orderly  Sergeant  Jacob  B.  Loring,  wounded. 

Company  G. 

Private  Charles  R.  Delano,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Paul,  wounded  July  i. 

Company  K. 

Private  Chas.  E.  Hamilton,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Wadsworth,  w’d  and  pris.  July  3. 

Company  L. 

Sergeant  Ebenezer  S.  Johnson  (a),  Orderly  for  Gen.  Robinson,  w’d  July  x. 
Private  Orin  H.  Brown,  wounded  July  3. 

Private  Edward  Cunningham,  Orderly  for  Gen.  Doubleday,  killed  July  3. 
Private  Henry  A.  Thompson,  wounded  July  3. 

(a)  “ It  affords  me  pleasure  to  call  special  attention  to  the  gallant  conduct  of  one 
of  my  orderlies,  Sergt.  Ebenezer  S.  Johnson,  First  Maine  Cavalry,  whose  chevrons 
should  be  exchanged  for  the  epaulette.  When  we  make  officers  of  such  men,  the 
soldier  receives  his  true  reward  and  the  service  great  benefit.”— From  Report  of 
General  Robinson,  Second  div.,  First  corps.  Rebellion  Records,  serial  No.  43,  page  291. 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENT, 

October  3,  1889. 

ADDRESS  OF  BREVET  MAJ.-GEN.  C.  H.  SMITH,  U.  S.  ARMY, 

FORMERLY  COLONEL  FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY. 

Comrades  and  Fellow  Citizens:  — 

Gettysburg  claims  historically  only  a quarter  of  a century 
of  the  past,  but  all  future  generations  will  make  pilgrimages  to 
it  and  pay  it  homage.  Because  twenty-six  years  ago  on  this 
field  great  questions  of  human  freedom,  civil  rights,  the  integrity 
of  the  domain  of  our  unequaled  country,  and  the  preservation 
and  maintenance  of  our  unrivaled  representative  government 
were  practically  decided,  settled  and  established.  No  more 
important  questions  affecting  human  freedom  and  popular  gov- 
ernment were  ever  determined  on  any  battlefield.  Gettysburg, 
therefore,  the  crisis  of  our  greatest  war,  the  Saratoga  of  the 
rebellion,  has  become  the  theme  of  orators,  and  is  and  will  be 
the  text  of  historians.  History  was  made  here  in  a day,  but  it 
may  take  years  to  correctly  write  it.  The  historian  must  have 
material  assistance  as  well  as  mental  qualifications  and  attain- 


482 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ments ; and  these  monuments,  their  emblems  and  legends,  that 
mournfully  decorate  this  great  battlefield  from  front  to  rear, 
from  flank  to  flank,  will  become  his  interpreters  and  assistants. 

Yon  distant  front,  where  the  First  corps  fought  and  the 
gifted  Reynolds  fell,  is  appropriately  marked.  The  Peach 
Orchard  and  the  Wheatfield  have  their  monumental  metes  and 
bounds.  The  array  of  marble,  granite  and  bronze  on  Cemetery 
Ridge  is  typical  of  the  unfaltering  men  who  defended  it.  Yon- 
der Round  Tops,  where  Chamberlain  and  his  devoted  followers, 
God  bless  them,  did  heroic  work,  are  monuments  themselves  — 
yea,  monumented  monuments  — immortal  in  history.  Yonder 
shaft  marks  where  Gregg,  remote  from  support  and  charged 
with  responsibility  that  seldom  falls  upon  a subordinate  in  battle, 
defended  this  Thermopylae  of  the  battlefield.  Every  monument 
is  a revelation. 

It  may  now  be  properly  asked,  what  does  this  monument  to 
the  First  Maine  Cavalry  reveal  ? The  answer,  if  confined  to  its 
operations  upon  this  battlefield,  would  be  rather  unheroic  and 
uneventful,  and  in  substance  about  as  follows  : The  regiment, 
greatly  reduced  in  numbers  by  the  casualties  of  battles  and 
unusually  hard  service,  arrived  here  July  2d,  and  bivouacked 
that  night  somewhere  in  yonder  fields  (toward  Cemetery  Ridge) . 
July  3d  it  remained  inactive  for  the  most  part,  until  the  deaf- 
ening roar  of  contending  artillery  began  to  shake  the  earth.  It 
was  then  summoned  in  haste  to  this  locality,  and  it  came 
quickly.  The  cavalry  battle  yonder  was  at  its  height ; the 
field  was  all  astir  with  contending  forces  and  the  artillery  was 
in  full  play.  The  division  commander,  General  Gregg,  who 
was  evidently  expecting  its  arrival,  met  the  regiment  near  this 
place.  He  hastily  pointed  to  a force  of  the  enemy  in  the  dis- 
tance moving  to  our  right,  and  directed  the  regiment  to  pro- 
ceed on  yonder  (Low  Dutch)  road  and  "take  care  of  it,”  adding 
at  the  same  time  that  he  would  send  another  regiment  to  report 
to  its  commander. 

The  regiment  started  at  once,  but  before  it  reached  the 
enemy  or  got  any  chance  to  do  the  work  assigned  to  it,  the 
crisis  of  the  battle  was  passed  and  the  enemy  began  to  retire. 
The  regiment  was  then  recalled  from  its  advanced  position  on 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  : SMITH’S  ADDRESS. 


483 


our  extreme  right  and  assigned  to  a position  further  to  our 
left,  where  it  had  a sharp  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  and  was 
exposed  to  artillery  fire  for  a time.  Those  unheroic  events 
constitute  in  the  main  the  active  part  taken  by  the  regiment  in 
that  great  battle. 

But  the  Gettysburg  of  the  First  Maine  Cavalry  was  not 
limited  to  this  battlefield,  but  really  began  at  Brandy  Station, 
June  9th,  and  ended  at  Shepardstown,  July  16th,  a month  and 
seven  days,  during  which  it  was  engaged  in  seven  battles. 
Brandy  Station  was  the  opening  battle  of  the  Gettysburg  cam- 
paign, and  Shepardstown  was  the  last  one  of  the  series,  and  the 
First  Maine  Cavalry  took  part  in  them  all.  Inasmuch,  there- 
fore, as  its  opportunities  for  distinction  on  this  field  were  so 
limited,  I shall  take  the  liberty  of  referring  briefly  to  its  ser- 
vices on  other  fields  during  that  campaign. 

At  Brandy  Station  Wyndham’s  brigade  had  the  advance 
and  was  first  to  attack  the  enemy,  and  after  a gallant  fight  was 
defeated  at  every  point,  and  some  of  his  guns  were  captured. 
Kilpatrick’s  brigade  followed  Wyndham’s.  The  10th  and  2d 
N.  Y.  cavalry,  in  the  order  named,  preceded  the  First  Maine 
and  were  successively  beaten  and  driven  back.  The  First 
Maine  was  in  the  rear  in  column  of  fours,  making  its  way 
along  a narrow  road.  It  came  out  of  the  timber,  as  it  neared 
the  battlefield,  into  an  open  plain  at  a trot.  It  then  formed 
companies  at  a gallop,  drawing  sabres  at  the  same  time,  and 
crossed  that  plain  with  well-preserved  ranks,  amidst  the  confu- 
sion of  defeated  troops  and  in  the  face  of  artillery  well  posted 
and  vigorously  served.  It  reached  and  crossed  the  railroad  with 
undiminished  speed,  and  struck  and  dispersed  in  its  course  a 
mounted  column  of  the  enemy.  In  less  time  than  I can  tell  it 
the  regiment  encountered  and  destroyed  mounted  forces,  dis- 
mounted forces  and  artillery.  It  drove  the  mounted  forces 
helter-skelter,  it  rode  over  and  left  the  dismounted  forces  in 
rear,  it  enveloped  or  rode  over  the  guns  of  the  artillery  and  left 
them  silent,  and  thus  destroyed  the  last  organized  force  of  the 
enemy  on  that  part  of  the  field.  That  charge,  considering  the 
size  of  the  force  that  made  it,  the  surrounding  circumstances, 
the  distance  covered,  the  resistance  encountered  and  overcome 


484 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  the  results  achieved,  has  seldom  been  excelled  by  other 
cavalry  charges  in  the  history  of  the  world. 

June  17th  Kilpatrick’s  brigade  (no  longer  containing  the 
First  Maine  Cavalry)  met  the  enemy  at  Aldie,  and  after  a hotly 
contested  battle  was  beaten  and  routed.  His  guns  were  in 
imminent  danger  of  being  captured.  The  First  Maine  Cavalry, 
by  its  timely  arrival,  was  able  to  charge  the  enemy  and  save 
the  guns  from  capture.  It  also  broke,  turned  and  routed  the 
enemy,  as  it  did  at  Brandy  Station.  It  charged  on  with  great 
effect  and  great  sacrifices,  too,  nearly  a mile  beyond  the  guns 
it  had  rescued,  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field  and  saved  the 
battle  at  Aldie. 

June  19th,  at  Middleburg,  the  regiment  bore  the  brunt  of 
the  battle  and  by  hard  fighting  and  heavy  losses  defeated  a 
larger  force  of  the  enemy  and  again  won  the  day. 

June  21st  our  cavalry  advanced  from  Middleburg  to  Upper- 
ville,  and  easily  drove  the  enemy  to  that  place.  At  Upperville, 
however,  the  enemy  made  a bold  stand  and  successfully  resisted 
two  attempts  on  the  part  of  some  of  our  cavalry  to  drive  him 
further.  The  First  Maine  Cavalry  was  then  singled  out  to 
charge  the  enemy.  It  promptly  formed  for  the  task,  and  at 
the  same  time  received  the  following  orders  : " Charge  into  the 
town,  drive  out  the  enemy  and  get  beyond  it  if  possible.”  As 
the  regiment,  compact,  swift  and  irresistible,  and  enveloped  in 
cannons’  smoke,  disappeared  in  the  village,  Kilpatrick  in  his 
enthusiasm  exclaimed : " Those  Maine  men  would  charge 

straight  into  hell  if  ordered  to.” 

After  Upperville,  the  regiment  participated  in  forced 
marches  through  Maryland  and  this  great  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  arrived  here  July  2d.  The  modest  paid  it  took  in  the 
great  battle  here  has  already  been  explained.  After  the  battle 
the  regiment  joined  in  the  pursuit,  but  did  not  get  a chance  to 
engage  the  enemy  until  it  arrived  at  Halltown,  south  of  the 
Potomac,  July  15th,  where  it  had  an  important  skirmish  while 
protecting  the  flank  of  our  column.  The  next  day,  however, 
July  16th,  at  Shepardstown,  it  made  up  in  full  measure  for  its 
lack  of  opportunity  here,  by  fighting  the  enemy  from  midday 
until  dark,  in  one  of  the  hardest-contested  battles  it  was  ever 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  MONUMENT  DEDICATION. 


485 


engaged  in.  That  fight  terminated  the  Gettysburg  campaign, 
and  it  is  not  necessary  here  to  pursue  the  history  of  the  regi- 
ment any  further,  in  detail. 

But  in  connection  with  the  foregoing,  and  apropos  of  this 
occasion,  it  is  just  and  important,  as  a part  of  its  record,  to 
add  that  by  tlhe  highest  official  decision,  rendered  March  7,  1865, 
the  First  Maine  Cavalry  was  engaged  in  more  battles  during  the 
war  than  any  other  military  organization  in  the  great  and 
glorious  army  of  the  Potomac  at  that  time  ; a fact  in  itself  that 
sheds  o-lorv  enough. 

It  is  also  equally  just  and  important  to  note,  that,  from 
statistics  recently  compiled,  it  is  now  known  that  the  First 
Maine  Cavalry  sustained  greater  losses  in  battle  than  any  other 
mounted  regiment  in  the  war.  In  those  important  particulars 
the  First  Maine  Cavalry  had  no  equal,  and  its  record  of  battles 
and  sacrifices  stands  without  a parallel. 

The  question,  therefore,  What  does  this  monument  com- 
memorate and  reveal?  is  answered  in  some  measure,  at  least,  and 
it  appears  most  fitting  that  the  patriotic  State  of  Maine,  our 
own  beloved  State,  proud  of  the  brilliant  record  she  made 
in  the  war,  and  recognizing  and  appreciating  the  valor  and 
devotion  of  her  soldiers,  should  establish  this  monument  of 
appropriate  design,  modest  but  enduring  as  the  imperishable 
granite  of  which  it  is,  here  at  this  famed  historic  centre,  to 
commemorate  the  great  services,  heroic  sacrifices  and  unrivaled 
record  of  the  First  Maine  Cavalry. 

Brandy  Station,  Aldie,  Middleburg,  Upperville  and  Shep- 
ardstown  are  among  the  laurels  that  most  appropriately  adorn  it. 

If  anything  more  is  desired  to  complete  it,  let  me  suggest 
the  roll  of  honor,  the  names  of  the  fallen,  of  Douty,  Summat, 
Kimball,  Taylor  and  Neville ; of  Boothby,  Ellis,  Phillips, 
Harris,  Bartlett,  Russell,  Heald,  Collins,  Comins  and  Stayner ; 
of  scores  of  rank  and  file  who  fell  in  battle,  as  the  cypress 
with  which  to  tenderly  entwine  it. 


486 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


POEM. 

BY  LIEUT.  EDWARD  P.  TOBIE. 

This  sculptured  soldier  here, 

In  readiness  to  mount  and  ride 
Where  duty’s  call  or  country’s  need 
Shall  point  the  way,  whate’er  betide, 

With  faith  unbounded  in  his  steed, 

And  knowing  naught  of  fear, 

With  spirit  that  will  face 
Privations  such  as  few  endure 
And  danger  dire  to  life  and  limb, 

Face  death,  for  love  of  country  pure, 

And  calmly  meet  his  summons  grim, 
Face  aught  except  disgrace; — 

This  sculptured  soldier  here 
Is  type  of  thousands,  good  and  true, 

Who,  six  and  twenty  years  ago, 

Stood  on  this  field,  brave  boys  in  blue, 
Stood  firm  against  th’  invading  foe — 
And  some  lie  buried  near; 

Not  only  here  they  stood, 

But  on  a hundred  fields  of  strife 
They  stood  ’mid  storm  of  shot  and  shell 
And  offered  life  for  nation’s  life; 

They  did  their  duty  grandly  well, — 

They  did  all  soldier  could. 

This  sculptured  soldier  here 
Embodies  all  the  service  grand, 

The  days  of  suffering  and  pain, 

The  hardships  met  on  every  hand, 

By  nigh  three  thousand  men  from  Maine, 
The  State  which  we  revere, — 

And  all  the  weary  hours 
Of  picket  duty  day  and  night, 

The  campaigns  ’neath  a southern  sun, 
The  march,  the  skirmish  and  the  fight, 

The  battles  fought,  the  victories  won, 

By  these  brave  boys  of  ours, 

And  all  the  throb  and  ache 
Of  wounds  received  from  fellow-men 
And  illness  nothing  could  appease, 

The  dreary  life  in  prison  pen, 

The  death  by  battle  and  disease, — 

All  this  for  country’s  sake. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


487 


This  sculptured  soldier  here 
Will  tell  their  story  through  all  time; 

And  more  than  that,  will  teach  to  all 
Who  look  on  him,  that  ’tis  sublime 
To  promptly  answer  duty’s  call; 

And  duty  make  so  clear, 

That  in  the  coming  years 
The  spirit  of  these  gallant  men 

Throughout  the  land  will  e’er  abide, 
And  should  our  country  call  again, 

As  many  more  will  mount  and  ride 
With  neither  doubts  nor  fears. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

BY  LIEUT.  EDWARD  P.  TOBIE. 

The  First  Maine  Cavalry  has  the  proud  record  of  having 
been  allowed  the  names  of  more  battles  on  its  flag  than  any 
other  regiment  in  the  grand  old  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  of 
having  lost  more  men  killed  in  action  and  died  from  wounds 
than  any  other  cavalry  regiment  in  the  service.  Twenty-nine 
battles  were  borne  upon  its  flag  by  general  orders  from  the 
headquarters  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  issued  March  7,  1865, 
and  six  were  added  during  the  last  grand  campaign  in  the 
spring  of  1865,  which  ended  with  the  surrender  of  General  Lee 
and  the  whole  rebel  army.  These  were  engagements  worthy 
of  the  name  of  battle,  but  beside  these  the  regiment,  or  some 
portion  of  it,  was  in  many  a skirmish  in  which  it  met  with 
casualties,  and  many  in  which  it  escaped  harm.  More  than  one 
hundred  times  were  men  of  this  regiment  under  fire  where  the 
bullets  of  the  enemy  did  execution. 

Organizing  with  49  officers  and  1,109  men,  the  regiment, 
by  recruiting,  by  promotion,  by  re-enlistment  and  by  transfer 
from  the  First  District  of  Columbia  cavalry,  reached  a total  of 
149  officers  and  3,077  men,  a total  of  3,226  members.  Of 
these,  11  officers  and  101  enlisted  men  were  killed  in  action,  3 
officers  and  53  men  died  of  wounds  received  in  action,  one  offi- 
cer and  171  men  died  of  disease,  one  officer  and  165  men  died 
in  southern  prisons,  and  one  officer  and  5 men  were  killed  by 
accident;  447  were  wounded,  72  were  wounded  and  taken 


488 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


prisoners,  and  539  were  taken  prisoners,  246  of  whom  were 
from  the  First  District  of  Columbia  cavalry  before  its  transfer 
but  their  names  were  borne  on  the  rolls  of  the  regiment.  This 
is  in  brief  the  history  of  this  regiment,  and  it  tells  its  own  story. 

The  regiment  was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1861,  the  majority 
of  the  companies  being  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
in  October  of  that  year.  John  Goddard  was  appointed  Colonel, 
Thomas  Hight,  of  the  United  States  Army,  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  Samuel  II.  Allen,  David  P.  Stowell  and  Calvin  S.  Douty, 
Majors,  and  there  was  a full  complement  of  field  and  staff  offi- 
cers, with  line  officers  for  twelve  full  companies. 

The  following  is  the  original  organization  : — 

FIELD,  STAFF,  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  John  Goddard,  Cape  Elizabeth. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Thomas  Hight,  U.  S.  Arm}'. 

Major,  Samuel  H.  Allen,  Thomaston. 

Major,  David  P.  Stowell,  Canton. 

Major,  Calvin  S.  Douty,  Dover. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Benjamin  F.  Tucker,  U.  S.  Army. 
Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  Edward  M.  Patten,  Portland. 
Surgeon,  George  W.  Colby,  Richmond. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  George  W.  Haley,  Eastport. 

Chaplain,  Benjamin  F.  Tefft,  Bangor. 

Sergeant-Major,  Addison  P.  Russell,  Houlton. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Eustace  C.  Bigelow,  Portland. 
Commissary-Sergeant,  Charles  S.  Crosby,  Bangor. 

Hospital  Steward,  Samuel  C.  Lovejoy,  Rockland. 

Principal  Musician,  Artemas  D.  Bickford,  Houlton. 

Principal  Musician,  William  L.  Boyd,  Houlton. 

Band-leader,  Alexander  S.  Davis,  Houlton. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  Warren  L.  Whitney,  Newburg. 

First  Lieutenant,  Sidney  W.  Thaxter,  Bangor. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  C.  Hill,  Kennebunk. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  Jonathan  P.  Cilley,  Thomaston. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  P.  Coleman,  Lincolnville. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Frank  M.  Cutler,  Union. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  Robert  F.  Dyer,  Augusta. 

First  Lieutenant,  Dudley  L.  Haines,  Readfield. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  S.  Kimball,  Gardiner. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  Charles  H.  Smith,  Eastport. 

First  Lieutenant,  Andrew  B.  Spurling,  Orland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  Montgomery,  Orland. 


489 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


Co.  E.  Captain,  Black  Hawk  Putnam,  Houlton. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  H.  Goddard,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Osco  A.  Ellis,  Lincoln. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  Nathan  Mayhew,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Stephen  Boothby,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Jarvis  C.  Stevens,  Portland. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Augustus  J.  Burbank,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Zebulon  B.  Blethen,  Lewiston. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Isaac  G.  Virgin,  Dixfield. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  George  J.  Summat,  U.  S.  Army. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Baker,  Skowhegan. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  R.  Webb,  St.  Albans. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Louis  O.  Cowan,  Biddeford. 

First  Lieutenant,  Paul  Chadbourne,  Waterboro. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Frank  W.  Pray,  Shapleigh. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  George  Prince,  Bath. 

First  Lieutenant,  George  Cary,  Houlton. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  D.  Myrick,  Augusta. 

Co.  L.  Captain,  Reuben  B.  Jennings,  Farmington. 

First  Lieutenant,  Constantine  Taylor,  U.  S.  Army. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  Weston,  Oldtown. 

Co.  M.  Captain,  George  M.  Brown,  Bangor. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  C.  C.  Bowen,  Boston,  Mass. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Evans  S.  Pillsbury,  Guilford. 

This  was  peculiarly  a state  regiment,  the  companies  being 
apportioned  among  the  different  counties,  the  larger  counties 
being  allowed  a company,  while  of  the  smaller  counties  two 
were  allotted  to  a company.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  on 
the  State  Fair  grounds  at  Augusta,  the  camp  being  named 
"Camp  Penobscot.”  This  camp  was  destined  to  be  the  home 
of  the  regiment  all  through  that  long,  cold  and  dreary  winter. 
In  Sibley  tents,  banked  up  well  with  snow,  and  with  a little 
stove  hung  upon  a hollow  iron  pole  which  served  at  once  for 
tent  pole  and  for  stove  pipe,  the  boys  lived  that  winter  — that 
is,  the  majority  of  them  did  — and  received  their  first  taste  of 
the  hardships  of  a soldier’s  life.  Many  died  in  that  camp,  owing 
to  the  cold  and  the  insufficient  protection. 

During  the  winter  Colonel  Goddard  resigned,  and  Major 
Allen  became  Colonel,  and  Captain  Whitney,  of  company  A, 
Major.  Lieut. -Colonel  Hight  also  resigned,  but  the  vacancy 
was  not  filled  at  that  time.  In  March  the  regiment  went  to 
Washington,  camping  on  Capitol  Hill  for  a few  days,  and  then 
began  active  campaigning. 


490 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Middletown.  — On  the  30th  of  March  five  companies,  under 
command  of  Major  Douty,  were  sent  to  Harper’s  Ferry  and 
the  Shenandoah  Valley,  where  they  remained  till  the  following 
July,  when  they  rejoined  the  regiment.  Scouting  and  guard- 
ing the  railroad  were  the  chief  duties  here  till  the  9th  of  May, 
when  the  command  was  attached  to  General  Hatch’s  cavalry 
brigade  and  joined  General  Banks’  force.  There  was  skirmish- 
ing with  the  enemy  on  the  20th  and  22d,  and  on  the  24th  this 
battalion  held  in  check  General  Ashby’s  force  of  3,000  cavalry 
and  a battery,  near  Middletown,  for  hours,  allowing  General 
Banks  to  secure  the  better  position  and,  according  to  General 
Ashby,  "saving  Banks’  army.”  Later  in  the  day  the  battalion 
made  a gallant  charge,  in  which  it  lost  one  killed,  10  wounded 
of  whom  one  died,  13  wounded  and  taken  prisoners  of  whom 
one  died,  and  49  taken  prisoners  of  whom  6 died.  Captain 
Cilley,  of  company  B,  was  wounded  severely  and  left  on  the 
field, — the  first  man  wounded  in  the  regiment,  as  he  was  the  first 
to  enlist  in  it.  Assistant  Surgeon  Haley  remained  with  Captain 
Cilley  and  was  taken  prisoner. 

Along  the  Rappahannock.  — The  remaining  seven  com- 
panies left  Washington  on  the  5th  of  April  and  marched  into 
Virginia  under  command  of  Major  Stowell,  Colonel  Allen  having- 
been  left  sick  in  New  York.  The  history  of  that  summer’s  cam- 
paign is  a record  of  scouting,  reconnoitering, — this  regiment 
being  the  first  Union  force  to  go  as  far  south  as  Culpeper  Court 
House,  — picketing,  marching,  orderly  duty  and  some  fighting, 
though  at  that  period  of  the  war  the  cavalry  was  not  thought 
to  be  of  much  account,  and  was  scattered  among  the  different 
brigades  and  divisions  of  infantry,  instead  of  acting  together. 

In  June  Major  Whitney,  with  companies  C and  D,  was  sent 

out  by  General  McDowell  to  communicate  with  General  Banks, 

then  at  Williamsport.  The  little  command  dashed  through 

Winchester,  which  was  held  by  the  enemy,  in  the  early  morn- 

ino-,  creating  great  consternation  among  soldiers  and  citizens, 

and  reaching  General  Banks  delivered  the  orders  and  received 
© 

new  ones,  returning  the  next  day. 

The  regiment  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain, 
August  9th,  being  under  fire  though  not  actively  engaged ; had 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


491 


a lively  skirmish  with  the  enemy  at  Brandy  Station  August 
20th  ; endured  all  the  hardships  of  General  Pope’s  retreat,  serv- 
ing for  a few  days  at  General  Pope’s  headquarters ; and  took 
part  in  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  where,  on  the  last  day, 
it  was  under  tire  in  different  positions  on  the  field  all  day  long, 
and  was  employed  at  one  time  to  prevent  the  infantry  from 
straggling  from  the  field.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  army  at 
Frederick  City,  Md.,  Colonel  Allen  was  detailed  military  gov- 
ernor of  the  city,  Capt.  Charles  H.  Smith,  provost  marshal,  and 
the  major  portion  of  the  regiment  was  on  duty  in  the  city  for  a 
while,  but  company  G took  part  in  the  battle  of  South  Mount- 
ain, and  company  H was  at  Antietam.  At  Fredericksburg, 
also,  the  regiment  bore  an  honorable  part,  being  under  fire  all 
the  time,  though  it  was  not  actively  engaged. 

The  losses  during  the  year  were  2 killed,  27  wounded  of 
whom  3 died,  13  wounded  and  prisoners  of  whom  one  died,  and 
63  prisoners  of  whom  6 died. 

During  the  winter  of  1862-3  the  cavalry  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac  was  organized  into  brigades,  divisions  and  a corps, 
and  from  that  time  the  cavalry-men  had  a different  story  to  tell, 
and  for  the  first  time  in  its  history  the  First  Maine  Cavalry  was 
serving  all  together.  This  regiment  was  placed  in  the  First 
brigade,  Colonel  Judson  Kilpatrick  commanding,  Third  divis- 
ion, Gen.  David  McM.  Gregg  commanding.  The  winter  was 
spent  in  picketing,  scouting,  fatigue  duty  and  drill. 

During  the  year  some  changes  had  been  made  in  the  regi- 
mental officers.  Colonel  Allen  resigned  while  at  Frederick, 
and  Lieut. -Colonel  Douty,  who  had  been  promoted  from  Major 
some  time  before,  was  commissioned  Colonel.  Captain  Smith, 
of  company  D,  had  been  commissioned  Major  and  then  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. Captain  Cilley,  of  company  B,  had  been  com- 
missioned Major  before  he  was  wounded,  but  was  serving  with 
his  company  at  that  time.  Captain  Boothby,  of  company  F, 
had  been  commissioned  Major.  Major  Whitney  had  resigned, 
but  this  vacancy  was  not  filled  at  once. 

Stoneman’s  Raid. — The  spring  campaign  opened  with 
"Stoneman’s  Raid,”  in  which  this  regiment  took  part.  On 
this  expedition  there  was  some  fighting,  plenty  of  hard  march- 


492 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ing,  a loss  of  sleep  and  a want  of  rations  which  tested  the 
physical  endurance  of  the  men  more  severely,  perhaps,  than 
any  other  service  during  the  whole  four  years  of  the  regiment’s 
history.  During  this  raid  companies  B and  I,  while  scouting 
near  Louisa  Court  House,  made  a charge  in  which  two  were 
killed,  one  wounded,  two  wounded  and  prisoners,  and  28 
prisoners,  including  Lieutenant  Andrews,  company  I.  Lieut.  - 
Colonel  Smith,  with  one  hundred  men  from  each  the  First 
Maine  and  the  10th  N.  Y.  regiments,  was  sent  on  an  expedi- 
tion to  destroy  a bridge  over  the  South  Anna  Fiver,  ten  miles 
from  Richmond.  The  bridge  was  not  destroyed,  owing  to  the 
presence  of  a large  force  of  the  enemy,  and  Lieut. -Colonel 
Smith’s  orders  being  not  to  bring  on  a fight  in  any  case  ; but 
the  railroad  was  torn  up,  the  station  burned,  and  other  damage 
done  to  the  enemy. 

Brandy  Station.  — The  Gettysburg  campaign  commenced 
with  the  cavalry  fight  at  Brandy  Station,  which  place  General 
Lee’s  cavalry  had  reached  in  the  advance  of  his  army  on  the  way 
to  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  This  fight  occurred  June  9th. 
General  Buford’s  brigade  of  cavalry  crossed  the  Rappahannock 
at  Beverly  Ford  on  the  right,  while  General  Gregg’s  division 
crossed  at  Kelly’s  Ford,  at  the  left.  Col.  Percy  Wyndham’s 
brigade  had  the  advance  of  this  division,  and  attacked  the  enemy 
in  the  rear,  nearly  capturing  General  Stuart  the  rebel  cavalry 
leader,  but  after  a gallant  fight  was  driven  back,  with  three 
brigades  in  full  pursuit.  At  this  time  Colonel  Kilpatrick 
arrived  upon  the  field,  and  sent  in  the  two  advance  regiments 
of  his  brigade,  the  Harris  Light  and  10th  N.  Y.,  to  the  relief 
of  Wyndham,  but  they  were  met  by  two  heavy  columns  and 
driven  back.  At  this  juncture,  when  the  day  seemed  to  be  lost, 
the  First  Maine  arrived  on  the  field,  and  forming  squadrons  at 
a gallop,  drew  sabre  and  charged  the  enemy,  driving  back  the 
force  which  had  just  driven  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  and 
had  turned  its  attention  to  the  First  Maine,  driving  the  enemy 
from  the  cannon  which  had  been  pouring  shot  and  shell  upon 
the  charging  column,  driving  the  enemy  a mile  or  more.  This, 
the  first  charge  of  the  First  Maine,  was  perfectly  irresistible ; 
there  was  no  withstanding  it.  With  the  force  of  its  own 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


493 


momentum  the  regiment  went  on  and  on,  driving  everything 
before  it,  and  stopped  only  when  it  was  impossible  to  go  further. 
Upon  halting,  the  companies  were  re-formed  and  counted  off, 
and  some  of  the  men  dismounted  and  opened  fire  with  their 
carbines.  Lieut. -Colonel  Smith  assumed  command,  Colonel 
Douty  being  in  another  part  of  the  field,  and  discovered  that  the 
enemy  was  in  his  rear,  having  returned  and  manned  the  battery 
from  which  the  gunners  had  been  driven,  while  he  had  a small 
command  and  was  alone.  He  quickly  wheeled  the  regiment  and 
started  back  over  the  same  ground,  and  by  suddenly  changing 
direction  to  the  right,  as  he  saw  the  guns  were  about  to  be 
discharged,  got  out  of  range,  and  the  shot  and  shell  passed 
harmlessly  by. 

This  charge  of  the  First  Maine  Cavalry,  General  Kilpatrick 
many  times  stated  publicly  was  " one  of  the  best  charges  ever 
made,”  and  "saved  not  only  the  brigade  but  the  whole  division 
in  this  action”  ; and  he  always  claimed  that  "to  the  First  Maine 
Cavalry  he  owed  the  silver  star  he  won  that  day  upon  the  field 
of  battle.”  More  than  this,  the  Union  success  in  this  the  first 
real  cavalry  fight  of  the  war  on  a large  scale,  so  much  of  which 
was  due  to  this  regiment,  was  a severe  blow  to  the  south, 
wresting  from  it,  as  the  southern  army  and  the  southern  press 
admitted  it  did,  the  boasted  claim  of  the  superiority  of  the 
southern  cavalry. 

The  loss  to  the  regiment  in  this  engagement  was  one  killed, 
2 wounded,  7 wounded  and  taken  prisoners,  and  28  taken 
prisoners. 

The  Second  and  Third  divisions  of  the  Cavalry  corps  were 
now  consolidated  into  one  division,  named  the  Second,  and 
the  brigades  were  reorganized,  General  Kilpatrick  having  com- 
mand of  the  First,  while  the  First  Maine  was  placed  in  the 
Third  brigade,  under  command  of  Col.  J.  Irvin  Gregg. 

Aldie. — June  17th  the  regiment,  after  a march  of  twenty 
miles,  arrived  at  Aldie,  where  a severe  cavalry  fight  was  in  prog- 
ress. The  regiment  was  at  once  ordered  to  report  to  General 
Kilpatrick,  whose  troops  had  been  engaged  and  were  driven 
back  in  confusion.  When  Colonel  Douty  reached  the  top  of  a 
rather  steep  hill  on  the  pike  he  was  met  by  General  Kilpatrick 


494 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


who  appealed  to  him  to  save  him  as  the  regiment  had  done  at 
Brandy  Station.  As  soon  as  two  companies  — D and  H — got 
up  the  hill  they  charged,  led  by  Colonel  Douty  and  Captain 
Summat,  driving  the  enemy  from  a strong  position  behind  a 
stone-wall.  Major  Boothby  followed  with  several  companies 
and  took  position  at  the  wall,  routing  the  enemy  and  holding 
the  position  until  the  arrival  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Smith,  who  had 
been  sent  on  detached  duty  with  four  companies,  when  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Smith  took  command  of  the  regiment.  Colonel  Douty 
was  killed  in  the  very  advance,  his  body  being  found  beyond 
the  stone-wall.  Captain  Summat  was  also  killed  in  the  advance. 

Beside  the  loss  of  Colonel  Douty  and  Captain  Summat, 
Captain  Montgomery  of  company  D was  wounded,  and  the  total 
loss  in  the  regiment  was  5 killed,  18  wounded  of  whom  one 
died,  and  4 taken  prisoners.  Upon  the  death  of  Colonel  Douty, 
Lieut. -Colonel  Smith  was  commissioned  Colonel,  and  Major 
Boothby,  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Middleburg. — Two  days  later,  June  19th,  the  regiment 
fought  here  its  most  desperate  and  effective  battle  up  to  that  date. 
There  were  no  long-distance  charges  because  the  regiment  was 
face  to  face  with  the  enemy  at  the  start  and  advanced  in  four 
columns.  Lieutenant  Ford,  with  company  Iv,  charged  gallantly 
on  the  right  of  the  pike,  this  company  sustaining  the  heaviest 
loss  in  enlisted  men  of  any  company  in  the  regiment.  Captain 
Kimball,  with  company  C,  charged  on  the  pike  into  the  face 
and  midst  of  the  enemy  and  was  driven  back  with  loss,  Captain 
Kimball  being  killed  after  he  had  nearly  gained  the  rear  of  the 
enemy.  Major  Brown,  commissioned  from  Captain  company 
M June  4th,  with  companies  E and  M,  charged  obliquely  to 
the  left  through  a belt  of  open  timber  and  encountered  the 
extreme  right  of  the  enemy,  a large  detachment  of  whom  were 
dismounted  and  behind  stone-walls  and  commanded  by  a major. 
By  dash  and  persistence  Major  Brown’s  detachment  captured 
nearly  the  whole  force,  turned  the  enemy’s  right  and  greatly 
demoralized  him.  In  this  charge  Lieutenants  Neville,  company 
E,  and  Taylor,  company  M,  were  killed.  The  balance  of  the 
regiment,  under  Colonel  Smith,  moved  directly  to  the  front  and 
engaged  the  enemy  wherever  found,  at  short  range.  Colonel 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


495 


Smith’s  horse  was  shot  by  a pistol  ball  at  only  a few  paces. 
All  who  had  pistols  used  them.  In  the  meantime  the  10th  N. 
Y.  cavalry,  a small  regiment,  came  to  the  support  of  this  regi- 
ment. The  enemy  greatly  outnumbered  our  force,  and  many 
of  his  men  did  not  get  into  the  fight  at  all.  Still  he  retired 
after  having  resisted  this  fierce  assault. 

Beside  the  casualties  already  mentioned,  Lieutenants  Brooks, 
company  C,  and  Vaughan,  company  L,  were  wounded,  the 
entire  loss  being  10  killed,  19  wounded,  4 wounded  and  taken 
prisoners  and  2 taken  prisoners. 

Upperville. — June  21st  the  regiment  again  met  the  enemy, 
the  third  time  within  a week.  Two  regiments  of  General 
Kilpatrick’s  command  had  been  sent  in  to  take  the  town  of 
Upperville  and  hold  it,  and  had  been  successively  driven  back. 
General  Kilpatrick  asked  for  the  First  Maine,  saying,  "They 
will  go  through,”  and  the  First  Maine  was  ordered  to  report  to 
him.  Colonel  Smith  was  ordered,  with  the  regiment,  to  " charge 
through  the  town,  drive  out  the  enemy,  and  get  beyond  it  if 
possible.”  As  the  regiment  started  to  obey  this  order,  General 
Kilpatrick  said  : " That  First  Maine  would  charge  straight  into 
hell  if  it  were  ordered  to.”  On  entering  the  town  the  regiment 
was  met  by  a discharge  of  grape  from  a gun  posted  to  oppose 
it,  which  gun  was  immediately  captured.  The  enemy  was 
dispersed  and  driven  beyond  the  town,  whither  the  regiment 
pursued  and  engaged  him,  killing  and  wounding  many  and 
capturing  75.  The  loss  in  the  regiment  in  this  fight  was  Captain 
Spurling,  company  D,  and  5 men  wounded,  and  one  man 
taken  prisoner. 

The  regiment,  with  the  division,  was  busy  for  several  days 
keeping  watch  of  the  enemy.  The  services  of  the  cavalry  from 
Brandy  Station  to  Gettysburg,  the  fighting,  the  marching  and 
the  scouting,  had  the  effect  of  keeping  the  enemy’s  cavalry  all 
the  time  employed,  thus  preventing  him  from  obtaining  any 
knowledge  of  the  movements  of  our  army  and  keeping  Gen- 
eral Lee  in  the  dark,  and  allowing  the  Union  army  to  move  as 
it  chose,  making  the  glorious  victory  at  Gettysburg  possible. 

The  following  is  the  nominal  list  of  casualties  in  the  regi- 
ment  in  this  campaign  up  to  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  : — 


496 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Brandy  Station,  June  9,  1863. 

Co.  A.  Private  Thomas  E.  Whitney,  w’d  and  pris’r;  Sergeant  Scott  S. 
Ellis,  Corporals  Horace  H.  Lowell,  William  H.  Cleaveland,  James  B.  Farn- 
ham,  and  Privates  Simeon  M.  Dawson,  Madison  M.  Grant,  Anson  O.  Libby 
and  Nathan  L.  Ricker,  pris’rs. 

Co.  C.  Sergeant  Reuben  S.  Neal  and  Privates  Joshua  H.  Crane  and 
Joseph  Lunt,  pris’rs. 

Co.  D.  Private  Jerry  E.  Arnold,  pris’r. 

Co.  E.  Privates  Joseph  Ayatt  and  Frederick  Smart,  w’d;  Frank  W. 
Leavitt,  w’d  and  pris’r;  Bugler  Antoine  Schouton,  Privates  Albert  Haines 
and  Benjamin  C.  Hicks,  pris’rs. 

Co.  G.  Corporal  John  Dealy,  Jr.,  killed;  Corporal  Edward  P.  Tobie, 
Jr.,  and  Private  George  L.  Duston,  w’d  and  pris’rs;  Sergeants  Calvin  B. 
Benson,  Henry  F.  Blanchard,  George  E.  Jumper,  Corporals  Daniel  B. 
Doyen,  Hannibal  Bisbee,  Jr.,  Privates  Seth  B.  Goodwin  and  William  H. 
Wyman,  pris’rs. 

Co.  I.  Sergeant  Charles  W.  Coffin,  pris’r. 

Co.  K.  Sergeant  William  M.  Loud,  Corporal  Alonzo  Colby  and  Private 
John  Dogea,  w’d  and  pris’rs;  Sergeants  George  F.  Jewett,  Edward  B.  Her- 
bert, Corporal  Edwin  D.  Bailey,  and  Private  Francis  Hart,  pris’rs. 

Co.  M.  Corporal  Waterman  T.  Lewis,  pris’r. 

Aldie,  June  17,  1863. 

Field  and  Staff:  Colonel  Calvin  S.  Douty,  killed. 

Co.  D.  Private  George  W.  Simpson,  killed;  Captain  William  Mont- 
gomery, Corporal  John  C.  Ward,  Privates  Edward  Dunbar  and  Samuel  E. 
Griffin,  w’d;  Sergeant  Nathan  B.  Webb,  Corporal  William  Ricker,  Privates 
Thompson  M.  Brown  and  Thomas  B.  Pulsifer,  pris’rs. 

Co.  E.  Bugler  Evander  L.  French,  w’d. 

Co.  G.  Corporal  Homer  Child,  Privates  William  0.  Howes  and  Fer- 
nando F.  Mason,  w’d. 

Co.  H.  Captain  George  J.  Summat,  Privates  Charles  B.  Decker  and 
James  A.  Hurd,  killed;  Sergeants  Daniel  W.  Hall  (died),  Henry  W.  Boston, 
Corporals  Abner  C.  Emery,  Lewis  Andrews,  Privates  Hiram  W.  Allen, 
Llewellyn  Goodwin,  Sumner  A.  Holway,  Peter  Honan,  Isaiah  C.  Mosher, 
and  David  W.  Rhodes,  w’d;  Sergeant  Washington  I.  Hurd  (died),  and 
Private  James  Canwell,  w’d  and  pris’rs. 

Middleburg,  June  19,  1863. 

Co.  A.  Private  Hiram  T.  Drew,  w’d. 

Co.  C.  Captain  George  S.  Kimball  and  Corporal  John  W.  Neal,  killed; 
Lieutenant  Jonathan  K.  Brooks,  Sergeant  Charles  G.  Thwing,  and  Privates 
Charles  J.  Higgins,  Alvin  M.  Johnson,  W.  Franklin  Swift,  Arnold  F.  Wor- 
thing, Henry  Young,  w’d. 

Co.  D.  Private  Frank  H.  Hinckley,  w’d;  Sergeant  Benjamin  P. 
Knowles,  pris’r. 

Co.  E.  First  Lieutenant  Mark  Neville  and  Sergeant  Charles  C.  Putnam, 
killed;  Corporal  George  A.  Russell  and  Private  Batiste  Le  Sault,  w’d. 

Co.  F.  Sergeant  Benjamin  G.  Hawks  and  Private  John  T.  Trefethen, 
killed;  Sergeant  Horace  P.  Holyoke  and  Privates  Ambrose  Reed,  Howard 
M.  Thompson,  w’d. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


497 


Co.  H.  Sergeant  Willard  H.  Phelps,  pris’r. 

Co.  K.  Sergeants,  David  Bryant,  Jr.,  Justin  L.  Swett,  and  Corporal 
Charles  R.  Johnson,  killed;  Private  Joseph  B.  Peaks,  w’d;  Sergeants  Will- 
iam D.  Elliott,  David  Tozier,  Corporal  Walter  F.  Plaines  and  Private  John 
Hogan,  w’d  and  pris’rs. 

Co.  L.  First  Lieutenant  Zenas  Vaughan,  w’d. 

Co.  M.  Second  Lieutenant  Ephraim  H.  Taylor,  killed;  Sergeants  Alan- 
son  M.  Warren,  John  J.  Thomas,  and  Wagoner  Samuel  Ingalls,  w’d. 

Upperville,  June  21,  1863. 

Co.  D.  Captain  Andrew  B.  Spurling  and  Corp.  Simeon  A.  Holden,  w’d. 

Co.  F.  Private  Charles  Eastman,  w’d;  Corporal  John  H.  Merrill,  pris’r. 

Co.  G.  Corporal  Volney  H.  Foss,  w’d. 

Co.  I.  Privates  John  P.  Abbott  and  Walter  Allen,  pris’rs  near  Aldie, 
June  22. 

Co.  K.  Corporal  Charles  Burgess,  w’d. 

Co.  M.  Private  Reuel  W.  Porter,  w’d. 

Gettysburg. — July  3d  the  regiment  took  part  in  the  severe 
cavalry  fight  on  the  right  of  the  Union  lines  at  Gettysburg, 
where  the  Union  cavalry  frustrated  the  enemy’s  attempt  to  turn 
the  right  flank  and  gain  the  rear  at  the  time  of  General  Pickett’s 
famous  charge  in  the  centre.  The  regiment  supported  a battery 
in  the  forenoon,  and  in  the  afternoon  was  sent  out  with  another 
regiment,  both  under  command  of  Colonel  Smith,  to  meet  an 
advancing  column  of  the  enemy  in  the  attack  on  the  right  flank. 
One  battalion  was  dismounted  and  advanced  into  an  orchard 
without  difficulty,  the  advancing  enemy  halting  and  turning- 
back  upon  meeting  this  force ; and  the  remainder  of  this 
command  was  arranged  for  battle  and  held  this  part  of  the  line 
during  this  engagement,  the  brigade  occupying  the  gap  of  nearly 
two  miles  between  the  left  of  the  forces  engaged  with  the 
enemy’s  cavalry  and  the  right  of  the  Union  infantry.  The  loss 
in  this  day’s  engagement  was  small.  Sergeant  Loring,  company 
B,  was  wounded,  one  man  was  killed,  3 were  wounded,  and 
one  was  wounded  and  missing. 

The  regiment  then  joined  the  army  in  pursuit  of  the  retreat- 
ing enemy,  marching  and  scouting  continuously,  and  crossing 
the  Potomac  on  the  14th.  On  the  15th  the  regiment  was  sent 
toward  Charlestown  from  ITalltown  to  take  care  of  the  enemy 
while  the  rest  of  the  division  moved  in  the  direction  of  Sheji- 
ardstown.  On  this  expedition  the  regiment  had  a smart  little 
skirmish,  driving  the  enemy’s  cavalry  and  artillery  a mile  or 


498 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


more,  and  losing  Assistant  Surgeon  Parker  and  3 men,  who 
were  taken  prisoners. 

Sii era rdstown . — On  the  16th  the  regiment  started  out  after 
forage  near  Shepardstown,  but  nearing  the  picket  line  met  the 
pickets  coming  in,  followed  by  the  enemy.  As  the  enemy 
reached  the  crest  of  a hill,  Colonel  Smith  ordered  Lieutenants 
Cole  and  Coleman,  with  companies  A and  B,  to  charge  up  the 
hill,  and  such  was  the  impetuosity  of  this  charge  that  the  enemy 
was  driven  from  the  crest.  Colonel  Smith  advanced  the  remain- 
der of  the  regiment  and  held  the  crest  for  more  than  an  hour, 
when  the  enemy  massed  in  such  numbers  as  to  force  him  back 
some  two  hundred  yards  to  a more  favorable  position.  Here 
the  4th  Penn,  cavalry  joined  the  First  Maine,  and  by  stubborn 
fighting  the  enemy — cavalry  and  artillery — was  held  until  this 
force  was  relieved  by  the  16th  Penn,  regiment.  Later  in  the 
afternoon  the  16th  Penn,  was  in  peril,  when  the  First  Maine 
went  to  their  support  and  again  became  actively  engaged. 

The  heavy  loss  in  this  engagement  tells  how  severe  was  the 
fighting.  Lieut. -Colonel  Boothby,  Lieutenant  Hunton,  com- 
pany G,  and  Lieutenant  Bradman,  company  M,  were  wounded, 
and  the  total  loss  was  4 killed,  22  wounded  of  whom  4 died,  2 
wounded  and  taken  prisoners,  and  7 prisoners. 

This  engagement  was  the  end  of  the  Gettysburg  campaign, 
which  began  with  the  fight  at  Brandy  Station,  June  9th. 

Soon  after  this  the  division  was  reorganized  and  made  into 
two  brigades,  when  Colonel  Gregg’s  brigade,  containing  the 
First  Maine,  became  the  Second,  and  this  regiment  remained 
in  that  brigade  for  more  than  a year. 

Sulphur  Springs. — In  October  a reconnaissance  was  made 
by  the  regiment  to  Little  Washington  and  Sperry  ville.  The  men 
had  been  in  the  saddle  and  on  the  march  two  full  days, — 10th  and 
11th, — a movement  by  the  rebel  army  to  turn  the  right  flank  of 
the  Union  army  having  been  discovered,  when  on  the  morning 
of  the  12th  Colonel  Smith  was  ordered  to  proceed  with  the  reg- 
iment to  Sperryville  to  observe  any  movement  the  enemy  might 
make  in  that  direction,  and  to  report  promptly  whatever  of  the 
enemy  he  might  discover.  On  this  expedition  the  regiment  was 
absent  from  the  division  four  days,  marching  all  day  and  night 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


499 


on  the  12th,  being  twice  cut  off  by  the  enemy,  marching  all  day 
the  13th,  moving  all  day  and  night  the  14th,  and  marching  and 
fighting  all  the  loth,  making  six  days  and  two  nights  of  constant 
marching  and  fighting.  The  regiment  was  officially  reported 
as  captured.  The  reconnaissance  was  in  every  way  successful, 
General  Meade  speaking  very  emphatically  to  Colonel  Smith 
concerning  the  value  of  the  information  obtained,  which  was 
forwarded  to  General  Meade  by  Major  Brown  before  the  regi- 
ment got  back  to  the  army. 

The  loss  on  this  expedition  was  Lieutenant  Coleman, 
company  B,  and  two  men  wounded  of  whom  one  died,  one 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  who  died,  and  22  prisoners  one 
of  whom  died. 

Mine  Run. — The  regiment  took  part  in  the  Mine  Run 
expedition,  the  latter  part  of  November,  during  which  it  did 
some  skirmishing,  reconnoitering  and  picketing  in  extreme  cold 
weather,  and  served  as  rear  guard  for  the  whole  army  on  the 
return  from  the  expedition,  December  2d,  holding  the  pursuing 
enemy  in  check  until  the  entire  force  had  crossed  the  Rapidan. 

The  latter  part  of  December  the  regiment,  with  three  others, 
under  command  of  Colonel  Smith,  the  regiment  being  under 
command  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Boothby,  made  a successful  expe- 
dition through  Thornton’s  Gap,  in  the  Blue  Ridge,  to  Luray, 
during  which  a large  manufactory  of  Confederate  government 
cavalry  and  artillery  equipments,  with  contents,  and  several 
tanneries,  were  destroyed.  There  was  a skirmish  in  front  of 
Luray,  and  several  prisoners  were  captured,  and  a charge  was 
made  at  Little  Washington  in  which  one  rebel  was  killed. 
Colonel  Smith  received  from  General  Pleasanton  a letter  of 
commendation  for  the  able  manner  in  which  he  conducted  the 
hazardous  trip. 

The  losses  in  the  regiment  during  this  year  were  24  killed, 
80  wounded  of  whom  6 died,  20  wounded  and  taken  prisoners 
of  whom  2 died,  and  110  taken  prisoners  of  whom  one  died. 

January  1,  1864,  the  regiment  went  with  the  division  on  an 
expedition  to  Front-  Royal  and  vicinity  to  recommit er.  This 
was  a hard,  cold  march,  with  the  roads  in  bad  condition,  during 
which  the  men  suffered  more  from  cold  than  before  in  the  ser- 


500 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


vice.  While  on  this  expedition  Captain  Taylor,  company  L, 
with  four  companies  of  this  regiment  and  detachments  from 
the  other  regiments,  was  sent  to  army  headquarters  to  carry 
despatches.  On  their  way  they  met  a force  of  Mosby’s  men 
near  Salem  Church,  when  a spirited  engagement  took  place, 
the  enemy  being  driven  by  a charge  by  company  H,  under  com- 
mand of  Captain  Hall,  and  25  prisoners  were  captured.  On 
the  return  march  a severe  snow-storm  made  the  roads  and  the 
marching  even  worse,  and  the  regiment  camped  that  night  near 
Warrenton  in  six  inches  of  snow,  without  tents,  and  with  little 
to  make  them  comfortable. 

The  regiment  went  into  winter  quarters  near  Warrenton, 
and  there  was  a season  of  picketing,  scouting,  etc.,  9 men  being 
taken  prisoners  while  scouting  that  winter,  of  whom  4 died. 
The  last  of  February  a strong  detail  of  the  regiment  joined  in 
the  raid  to  Richmond,  commonly  called  the  "Dahlgren  Raid,” 
under  General  Kilpatrick,  during  which  the  regiment  lost  7 
killed,  4 wounded  of  whom  2 died,  3 wounded  and  prisoners, 
and  36  prisoners  of  whom  18  died. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  General  Sheridan  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  cavalry  corps  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  The 
Second  division  remained  in  command  of  General  Gregg,  and 
the  First  Maine  was  still  in  the  Second  brigade,  Colonel  Smith 
commanding  the  regiment.  But  there  had  been  some  changes 
among  the  field  officers.  Lieut. -Colonel  Boothby  and  Major 
Cilley  remained  ; Captain  Thaxter,  company  A,  had  been  com- 
missioned Major  June  4,  1863,  and  Captain  Taylor,  company 
L,  as  Major  February  18,  1864 ; Major  Brown  had  resigned 
on  account  of  disability  incurred  in  the  service. 

Todd’s  Tavern.  — The  regiment  crossed  the  Rapidan  with 
the  division  on  the  morning  of  May  4th,  and  for  three  or  four 
days  was  employed  in  scouting  and  skirmishing  on  the  left  of 
the  army,  then  in  the  Wilderness,  being  under  fire  several 
times  with  little  loss.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  7th  the  regiment, 
with  the  brigade,  was  formed,  dismounted,  across  the  Catharpin 
road,  near  Todd’s  Tavern.  A line  of  rail  breastworks  was 
hastily  thrown  up,  and  there  was  a lively  little  fight,  or  severe 
skirmish,  that  afternoon  and  the  next  forenoon,  when  the 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


501 


brigade  was  relieved  by  infantry.  During  this  fight  a portion 
of  tliis  regiment,  under  Lieut. -Colonel  Boothby,  with  other 
regiments,  the  whole  under  command  of  Colonel  Smith,  joined 
in  a charge  against  the  enemy’s  infantry, — the  carbine  against 
the  bayonet, — and  the  dismounted  cavalry  routed  the  rebel 
infantry.  The  loss  in  this  engagement  was  7 wounded  of  whom 
one  died,  the  small  loss  showing  the  benefit  of  breastworks 
even  though  they  be  built  in  a hurry. 

Beaver  Dam  Station. — On  the  9th  the  whole  cavalry  force 
broke  loose  from  the  army  and  started  on  a raid  in  the  enemy’s 
rear,  commonly  known  as  " Sheridan’s  Raid  to  Richmond,” 
which  General  Grant  said  "had  the  effect  of  drawing  off  the 
whole  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  force  and  making  it  comparatively 
easy  to  guard  our  trains.”  On  the  morning  of  the  10th  the 
column  started  with  the  First  Maine  in  the  advance,  company 
G heading  the  regiment.  Scarcely  had  the  column  passed 
headquarters,  when  the  advance  ran  into  the  enemy’s  pickets 
and  a running  fight  ensued  for  a mile  or  more,  when  the  enemy 
was  found  in  a strong  line  across  a field  beyond  a creek.  A 
brief  skirmish,  a charge  by  a portion  of  the  regiment,  and  the 
enemy  was  brushed  away,  no  more  to  hinder  the  march  that 
day.  In  this  little  fight,  known  as  Beaver  Dam  Station,  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Boothby  received  a wound  which  caused  his  death,  and 
one  man  was  killed  and  three  wounded. 

Ground  Squirrel  Church  Bridge.  — On  the  11th,  in  the 
regular  order  of  marching,  it  became  the  duty  of  the  regiment 
to  take  the  rear.  The  regiment  was  waiting  quietly  by  the 
side  of  the  road  for  the  remainder  of  the  division  to  pass,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  go  to  the  support  of  the  pickets,  which  had 
been  attacked.  Riding  a short  distance,  the  men  hastily  dis- 
mounted, rushed  into  the  woods,  joined  the  pickets  near  Ground 
Squirrel  Bridge  and  commenced  firing.  In  a few  moments  the 
men  were  ordered  to  return  to  the  horses  as  quickly  as  possible. 
They  had  barely  got  mounted  when  the  enemy  came  down  upon 
them,  charging  in  three  columns,  and  a fight  ensued  in  which 
two  men  were  killed,  Lieutenants  Libby,  company  C,  and  John- 
son, company  M,  and  8 men  were  wounded;  12  were  wounded 
and  taken  prisoners  of  whom  7 died,  and  Captain  Vaughan, 


502 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


company  M,  and  18  men  were  taken  prisoners  of  whom  7 men 
died.  The  enemy  lost  their  famous  cavalry  general,  J.  E.  B. 
Stuart,  and  one  of  the  Generals  Gordon.  The  regiment  held 
the  rear  all  the  day,  skirmishing  frequently  and  making  but 
little  progress  on  the  road. 

Colonel  Smith  and  Major  Thaxter  each  had  horses  shot 
under  them,  and  Colonel  Smith  was  at  one  time  entirely  sur- 
rounded by  the  enemy  but  escaped  recognition  and  managed 
to  ride  from  among  them. 

Fortifications  of  Richmond. — By  daylight  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  12th,  having  marched  all  night,  the  regiment  followed 
the  remainder  of  the  column  inside  the  outer  fortifications  of 
Richmond,  and  was  given  the  important  duty  of  protecting  the 
rear  of  the  whole  force,  which  it  did  successfully  with  compara- 
tively small  loss.  In  the  morning  it  supported  a battery  during 
a heavy  thunder  storm,  when  the  sounds  of  the  human  artillery 
were  well-nigh  drowned  by  those  of  the  artillery  of  heaven,  and 
later  had  a lively  skirmish  with  a force  sent  out  from  Richmond 
to  harass  the  rear  of  the  raiding  force.  In  this  engagement  one 
man  was  killed,  Major  Thaxter,  Sergeant  Coring  of  company 
B,  and  2 men  were  wounded,  and  3 were  taken  prisoners  of 
whom  one  died.  The  position  of  the  cavalry  on  this  day  was 
in  the  "trap”  which  had  been  prepared  to  capture  the  whole 
force,  but  General  Sheridan  was  general  enough  to  get  out  of 
the  trap,  the  First  Maine  holding  the  rear  while  he  was  opening 
the  door  in  front. 

Then  came  the  return  march  to  the  Union  lines,  which  were 
reached  on  the  25th,  at  the  North  Anna  River  instead  of  in  the 
Wilderness.  During  this  march  there  was  the  usual  amount  of 
picketing  and  scouting.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  16th  the  regi- 
ment, with  the  pioneers  of  the  whole  division,  under  command 
of  Colonel  Smith,  were  sent  ahead  to  repair  Jones’  bridge  over 
the  Chickahominy  and  put  it  in  condition  for  the  command  to 
cross.  While  doing  this  the  regiment  stood  guard  by  picketing 
all  around.  The  force  arrived  on  the  morning  of  the  18th, 
when  it  was  found  necessary  to  build  another  bridge  to  facilitate 
the  crossing,  which  was  achieved  in  one  hour  and  forty-five 
minutes,  the  quickest  bridge-building  on  record  up  to  that  time. 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


503 


Hawes’  Shop.  — On  the  26th  General  Grant  was  ready  for 
another  flank  movement  around  the  right  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
cavalry  had  the  advance,  crossing  the  Pamunkey  on  pontoons 
early  the  next  morning.  On  the  28th  the  regiment  took  part 
in  the  severe  cavalry  engagement  at  Hawes’  Shop,  which 
General  Grant  pronounced  " the  most  severe  cavalry  fight  of 
the  war  up  to  that  time.”  The  regiment  supported  a battery 
during  this  engagement,  and  the  loss  was  small,  one  man  being 
killed,  but  the  strain  on  the  men  during  that  long  afternoon 
was  terrible. 

Cold  Harbor.  — June  2d  the  regiment  met  the  enemy  at 
Barker’s  Mills,  the  beginning  of  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor, 
where  a portion  of  the  regiment  skirmished  through  the  woods 
mounted,  and  the  remainder  made  a gallant  mounted  charge 
upon  the  rebel  batteries,  gained  a good  position  on  the  hill  and 
held  it  all  day,  in  spite  of  two  desperate  attempts  to  drive  it 
away.  In  the  first  of  the  engagement  Chaplain  Bartlett  was 
killed  and  4 men  were  wounded,  of  whom  one  died.  The 
regiment  remained  on  the  skirmish  line  in  this  vicinity  till  the 
mornino-  of  the  5th. 

O 

Trevillian  Station.  — On  the  7th  the  cavalry  started  on 
General  Sheridan’s  raid  towards  Gordonsville,  and  the  First 
Maine  went  with  the  division.  There  was  the  usual  amount  of 
hard  marching,  picketing  and  scouting,  but  little  fighting  until 
the  11th,  when  occurred  the  fight  at  Trevillian  Station.  Here 
the  regiment  had  another  day  of  supporting  a battery,  following 
it  all  day  and  taking  up  various  positions ; towards  night  the 
enemy’s  battery  was  driven  from  the  position  which  it  had 
occupied  all  through  the  fight,  and  our  battery  was  placed  on 
some  rising  ground  with  this  regiment  in  its  rear.  In  a short 
time  the  enemy’s  battery  opened  with  canister,  and  threw  the 
shells  into  our  battery  with  wonderful  accuracy,  while  the  bul- 
lets flew  all  around  the  regiment.  Colonel  Smith  took  in  the 
situation  at  once  and  moved  the  regiment  to  the  left,  where  it 
was  comparatively  safe,  the  enemy’s  many  missiles  passing 
harmlessly  by  on  the  right.  By  this  prompt  action  the  regi- 
ment was  saved  from  heavy  loss,  there  being  only  4 wounded. 

There  was  a skirmish  at  Louisa  Court  House  the  next  day 


504 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


and  then  a week  of  tiresome  inarching  on  the  back  track,  in 
hot  weather  and  over  dusty  roads.  On  the  21st  there  was  an 
engagement  near  White  House  Landing,  in  which  the  enemy 
was  pushed  back  to  Black  Run,  where  he  made  a stand,  and 
later  in  the  day  advanced  in  line  of  battle,  but  was  repulsed 
after  a sharp  fight.  The  First  Maine  had  the  right  of  the  line, 
fighting  mounted  in  the  forenoon  and  dismounted  in  the  after- 
noon, and  lost  one  killed  and  4 wounded. 

St.  Mary’s  Church. — During  the  absence  of  the  cavalry 
on  this  expedition  the  army  of  the  Potomac  had  crossed  the 
James  River  and  was  settling  down  before  Petersburg,  having 
left  a large  wagon  train  at  White  House  Landing.  It  now 
became  the  duty  of  the  cavalry  to  take  this  baggage  train  to 
the  army,  and  the  march  commenced  on  the  23d.  The  first  day 
this  regiment  had  nothing  to  do  but  keep  its  place  in  the  col- 
umn. The  next  day,  the  24th,  fearing  an  attempt  by  the  enemy 
to  capture  the  train,  the  division  was  sent  early  in  the  morning 
on  a road  leading  to  Richmond  to  prevent  any  attack  upon  the 
train  from  that  direction.  The  First  Maine  had  the  advance 
and  company  G had  the  advance  of  the  regiment.  After 
marching  a few  miles  the  column  was  halted  by  the  enemy’s 
pickets  in  the  road  at  the  edge  of  some  woods,  some  two  miles 
from  St.  Mary’s  Church.  A company  of  the  regiment  was 
dismounted  and  sent  into  the  woods,  which  drove  the  pickets  to 
the  church,  where  the  enemy  made  a stand.  The  remainder 
of  the  regiment  and  the  greater  part  of  the  division  were  soon 
in  line  behind  hastily-constructed  breastworks,  and  a severe 
fight  occurred,  in  which  Captain  Ellis  of  E and  Captain  Phillips 
of  F were  killed  ; Colonel  Smith,  Lieut. -Colonel  Cilley,  Major 
Tucker  (commissioned  Major  from  Captain  of  B July  12th), 
Captain  Montgomery  and  Lieutenant  Johnson  of  D and  Lieuten- 
ant Hussey  of  E were  wounded  ; Captain  Carson  and  Lieutenant 
Gordon  of  L and  Lieutenant  Johnson  of  M were  taken  pris- 
oners ; and  Captain  Myrick  of  K and  Lieutenant  Benson  of  G 
were  overcome  by  the  heat ; the  total  loss  being  13  killed,  23 
wounded  of  whom  two  died,  three  wounded  and  taken  prisoners 
and  19  taken  prisoners  of  whom  eight  died.  Colonel  Smith 
remained  on  the  field  till  the  close  of  the  day,  having  two  horses 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


505 


shot  under  him  after  he  was  wounded,  and  the  First  Maine  was 
one  of  the  last  two  regiments  to  leave  the  field.  This  ens;a°’e- 
ment  was  a severe  one,  the  enemy  fighting  stubbornly  and 
making  a powerful  effort  to  get  at  the  train,  and  our  troops 
fighting  as  stubbornly.  At  one  time  the  enemy  advanced  even 
to  the  battery  of  the  division,  some  of  his  men  placing  their 
hands  upon  the  guns,  but  were  driven  back.  The  train  was 
saved,  and  the  division  was  not  captured  or  destroyed.  Nor 
did  the  enemy  care  to  follow  this  division  when  it  left  the 
field,  at  dark. 

Major  Thaxter  was  now  in  command  of  the  regiment,  which 
went  into  camp  July  4th  for  a few  days’  rest,  having  been 
actively  campaigning  for  two  months,  during  which  time  it  had 
passed  two  nights  in  the  same  place  but  twice.  July  26th  a 
movement  was  made  on  the  right  of  the  army,  across  the  James 
River,  " with  a view  of  cutting  the  enemy’s  railroad  from  near 
Richmond  to  the  Anna  rivers,  and  to  take  advantage  of  his 
necessary  withdrawal  of  troops  from  Petersburg  to  explode  the 
mine  and  make  an  assault.”  The  First  Maine,  with  the  divis- 
ion, joined  in  this  movement,  during  which  one  battalion  had 
a sharp  fight  on  the  old  Malvern  Hill  battle  ground,  capturing 
a number  of  the  enemy  and  losing  four  men  wounded,  on  the 
28th  ; and  the  whole  regiment  had  a skirmish  on  the  picket  line, 
on  the  same  ground,  during  which  two  men  were  wounded,  on 
the  29th. 

Deep  Bottom. — August  13th  commenced  another  move- 
ment across  the  James,  which  resulted  in  drawing  so  many  of 
the  enemy’s  troops  from  Petersburg  as  to  make  it  possible  for 
General  Grant  to  take  possession  of  the  Weldon  Railroad,  which 
was  done  on  the  18th.  The  First  Maine,  with  the  division,  also 
joined  in  this  movement.  The  regiment  was  on  the  skirmish 
line  all  day  the  15th,  one  man  being  wounded,  and  on  the  16th 
took  part  in  the  fight  at  Deep  Bottom,  where  4 men  were  killed, 
Captain  Virgin,  company  G,  and  21  men  were  wounded,  and 
one  was  taken  prisoner  who  died.  In  this  engagement  the  16th 
Penn,  cavalry  had  the  advance,  the  First  Maine  following. 
The  advance  found  the  enemy  and  had  a running  fight  for  a 
mile  or  two,  when  the  Confederates  made  a stand.  A brigade 


506 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


of  the  Second  corps  was  brought  up  to  assist  the  dismounted 
men  in  the  woods.  There  was  a lull  in  the  skirmishing  and 
the  greater  portion  of  the  infantry  had  been  sent  to  some  other 
part  of  the  line,  when  the  enemy  made  a fierce  attack,  driving- 
in  the  skirmishers.  The  First  Maine  was  rushed  to  the  front 
and  had  to  stand  the  brunt  of  the  attack,  and  being-  alone  in 
the  field  and  mounted,  it  was  forced  to  retire  to  the  further 
side  of  White  Oak  Swamp,  where  it  made  a stand  and  held  the 
enemy  at  bay.  There  was  more  skirmishing  on  the  17th  and 
18th,  during  which  2 men  were  killed  and  2 wounded  one  of 
whom  died. 

On  the  19th  Colonel  Smith  returned  to  duty,  having  suf- 
ficiently recovered  from  the  wound  received  at  St.  Mary’s 
Church,  and  took  command  of  the  brigade,  Col.  J.  Irvin  Gregg 
having  been  wounded  at  Deep  Bottom. 

Reams’  Station. — On  the  23d  of  August  the  division  was 
sent  to  the  Weldon  Railroad,  near  Reams’  Station,  to  help  hold 
the  railroad,  which  the  enemy  was  strenuously  endeavoring  to 
recapture.  The  First  Maine  had  a pretty  little  skirmish  in  the 
afternoon  and  evening  while  the  rest  of  the  brigade  had  a very 
hard  fight,  Colonel  Smith  commanding  the  brigade,  losing  4 of 
his  5 regimental  commanders,  and  being  himself  wounded, 
thou o;li  he  would  not  leave  his  command.  On  the  24th  the  reg- 
iment  was  on  the  skirmish  line  all  day,  but  was  not  disturbed. 
On  the  25th  the  fight  was  continued.  The  regiment  was  on 
the  left  and  was  not  actively  engaged,  but  was  marched  from 
position  to  position  all  day  long,  building  two  stout  lines  of 
breastworks  which  were  occupied  by  the  infantry,  as  the  regi- 
ment was  ordered  further  to  the  front,  and  being  under  artillery 
and  musketry  fire  most  of  the  time.  Along  towards  night  a 
shell  fired  by  the  enemy  aimed  at  the  right  of  the  line  came 
over  to  the  left,  so  much  had  the  line  become  doubled  up, 
killing  two  men  in  G and  wounding  two  in  E.  The  loss  in 
these  three  days  of  fighting  was  3 killed,  Colonel  Smith  and  5 
men  wounded  and  one  taken  prisoner. 

For  a month  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  scouting  and  pick- 
eting— always  busy.  On  the  2d  of  September  the  regiment,  in 
advance  of  the  brigade,  made  a brilliant  dash  bey ond  the  Weldon 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


507 


Railroad  and  across  the  Peebles’  farm,  being  the  first  Union 
troops  to  reach  the  Boydton  Plank  Road.  The  purpose  of  this 
expedition  was  the  capture  or  destruction  of  the  enemy’s  supply 
train,  which  had  been  parked  on  the  Poplar  Springs  Road,  about 
two  miles  from  our  infantry  outposts.  Sergeant  Dodge  of  com- 
pany I,  and  12  men,  had  the  advance  and  charged  the  enemy 
gallantly,  drove  him  away  from  his  barricades  and  pursued  him 
about  half  a mile.  Lieutenant  Andrews  with  H charged  another 
body  and  drove  it  more  than  a mile,  but  the  train  had  been 
moved  out  at  daylight,  and  the  expedition  was  fruitless. 

On  the  16th  of  September  the  regiment,  with  the  division, 
made  a reconnaissance  to  Stony  Creek,  in  pursuit  of  General 
Hampton’s  cavalry  after  its  successful  raid  at  Sycamore  Church, 
in  which  two  men  were  wounded. 

On  the  24th  of  September  8 companies  of  the  First  District 
of  Columbia  cavalry,  which  were  recruited  in  Maine,  were  for- 
mally transferred  to  this  regiment,  and  so  many  as  were  at  the 
time  serving  with  the  former  regiment  and  were  in  condition  for 
service  arrived  and  were  assigned  to  the  different  companies. 
Avery  large  number,  however,  were  absent,  in  hospital,  in  rebel 
prisons,  at  dismounted  camp  waiting  for  horses,  and  on  detached 
duty.  The  First  District  of  Columbia  cavalry  took  the  field  early 
in  1864.  The  total  loss  in  the  regiment  previous  to  the  trans- 
fer was  11  killed,  34  wounded  of  whom  2 died,  18  wounded  and 
prisoners  of  whom  6 died,  and  246  taken  prisoners  of  whom 
113  died. 

Wyatt’s  Farm. — September  26th  Lieut. -Colonel  Cilley, 
promoted  from  Major  July  11th,  having  recovered  from  wounds 
received  at  St.  Mary’s  Church,  arrived  and  took  command  of 
the  regiment,  relieving  Major  Thaxter,  who  had  been  in  com- 
mand since  June  24th.  Captain  Tucker  of  B was  promoted 
Major,  to  succeed  Major  Cilley.  On  the  29th  the  brigade  was 
sent  out  to  the  Wyatt  Farm.  A portion  of  the  brigade  became 
engaged,  but  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  so  hot  the  troops  would 
not  stand,  and  Colonel  Smith  sent  to  Lieut. -Colonel  Cilley  for 
the  First  Maine  to  fill  the  gap.  Captain  Hall,  with  the  Third 
battalion,  reported  to  Colonel  Smith  and  was  ordered  to  take 
position  across  the  pike  and  hold  it  at  all  hazards.  Captain 


508 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Hall  moved  forward  to  a little  cover  and  pushed  up  to  the  front 
with  two  companies  on  each  side  of  the  road,  and  held  the 
position  ; the  firing  soon  ceased  After  dark  the  enemy  charged 
upon  the  line  but  was  driven  back.  The  enemy  captured  a 
large  portion  of  the  right  of  the  line,  but  Lieutenant  Andrews 
charged  and  released  all  of  them.  Captain  Hall  was  wounded, 
one  man  was  killed,  one  taken  prisoner.  The  brigade  had  both 
flanks  turned  and  captured,  but  held  firm.  The  first  Maine 
was  in  the  centre  and  held  this  position,  thus  insuring  the 
success  of  the  Union  troops  in  this  engagement.  The  loss  in 
the  brigade  was  about  sixty. 

Boydton  Road.  — On  the  18th  of  October  a new  brio-ade 

O 

was  formed,  the  command  of  which  was  given  to  Colonel  Smith, 
which  he  retained  until  the  close  of  the  war,  having  been  in 
command  of  the  Second  brigade  since  the  wounding  of  Colonel 
Gregg.  The  new  brigade  was  called  the  Third,  and  was  com- 
posed of  the  First  Maine,  21st  Penn,  and  2d  N.  Y.  Mounted 
Rifles.  A few  days  later  the  6th  Ohio  joined  the  brigade. 

On  the  27th  the  brigade  had  the  advance  in  a movement  on 
the  left  of  the  army,  and  found  the  enemy  early  in  the  morning 
behind  breastworks  at  Rowanty  Creek,  on  the  Vaughan  Road. 
The  6th  Ohio  and  Captain  Freese’s  battalion  of  the  First  Maine 
drove  the  enemy  out,  capturing  the  signal  station,  flags  and  six 
wagons.  The  brigade  kept  on  the  march  to  Gravelly  Run, 
where  the  enemy  made  a stand,  being  well  supported  by  works 
and  artillery  in  the  woods.  The  First  Maine  dismounted,  car- 
ried the  bridge  under  a heavy  artillery  fire  and  formed  with 
the  brigade  across  the  road.  The  brigade  then  charged,  routing 
the  enemy  and  capturing  some  prisoners.  The  brigade  followed 
to  the  Boydton  Plank  Road  and  was  put  across  the  road  to  meet 
General  Hampton’s  force,  which  was  trying  to  attain  the  rear 
of  the  whole  Union  force  of  cavalry  and  infantry.  The  Union 
forces  stood  back  to  back.  The  First  Maine,  under  heavy  fire 
by  superior  numbers  and  flanked  so  that  it  was  between  two 
fires,  stood  firm  and  held  its  ground,  saving  the  brigade  and 
thus  saving  the  whole  position.  It  was  here  that  Major 
Thaxter,  whose  commission  had  expired,  yet  remained  with  his 
command  which  he  led  with  special  gallantry,  for  which  he  has 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


509 


been  accorded  a Congressional  medal  of  honor.  Thus  the  reg- 
iment took  part  in  three  distinct  engagements  in  one  day.  This 
was  known  to  the  men  of  the  regiment  as  the  " Bull  Pen,”  but 
is  borne  on  the  battle  flag  as  Boydton  Road.  Lieutenant  Col- 
lins of  E and  ten  men  were  killed,  Captain  Chadbourne  of  I, 
Lieutenant  Jackson  of  G,  Lieutenant  Lee  of  H,  and  58  men 
were  wounded  of  whom  5 died,  and  10  were  taken  prisoners 
of  whom  one  died. 

Bellefield.  — From  December  7th  to  the  12th  the  reyi- 
ment  with  the  brigade  took  part  in  the  cavalry  and  infantry 
raid  to  Bellefield,  an  errand  of  destruction  to  the  Weldon  Rail- 
road from  Stony  Creek  Station  to  Bellefield,  a distance  of  fifteen 
miles,  to  obstruct  the  transportation  of  supplies  to  the  rebel 
army.  The  regiment  burned  the  bridge,  station  buildings  and 
barracks,  destroyed  the  railroad  for  three-fourths  of  a mile  at 
Stony  Creek  Station  on  the  Nottoway  River,  and  destroyed  the 
railroad  nearly  to  the  rebel  works  at  Bellefield.  The  regiment 
served  as  rear  guard  on  the  return  march,  fighting  almost  con- 
tinuously. The  weather  was  very  cold  with  a storm  of  rain 
and  sleet,  and  the  men  suffered  severely.  Two  men  were 
wounded  of  whom  one  died.  This  expedition  was  successful, 
the  railroad  being  destroyed  the  entire  distance. 

During  the  year,  while  on  detached  duty,  Captain  Russell  of 
C received  wounds  from  which  he  died  ; Lieutenant  Cutler  of  B 
was  wounded ; Lieutenant  Harris  of  F was  killed  by  accident  . 

The  total  loss  in  the  regiment  during  1864  was  54  killed; 
189  wounded  of  whom  17  died  ; 18  wounded  and  taken  prison- 
ers of  whom  7 died  ; and  112  taken  prisoners  of  whom  41  died. 

Hatcher’s  Run. — Then  came  picketing  and  scouting  for 
nearly  two  months.  February  5,  1865,  the  regiment,  with  the 
division  and  an  infantry  force,  started  on  an  expedition  which 
resulted  in  extending  the  Union  lines  two  or  three  miles  on  the 
left,  to  Hatcher’s  Run.  On  this  expedition  the  regiment  was 
on  the  skirmish  line  and  under  fire,  in  different  positions,  all 
day  with  small  loss. 

Dinwiddle  Court  House. — At  the  opening  of  the  spring 
campaign,  1865,  Lieut. -Colonel  Cilley  was  in  command  of  the 
regiment ; Major  Taylor  was  serving  on  the  division  staff, 


510 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Major  Tucker  was  in  command  of  the  cavalry  depot  at  City 
Point  and  Major  Chadbourne,  promoted  from  Captain  of  I Dec. 
12,  1864,  was  in  command  of  the  2d  N.  Y.  Mounted  Rifles  in 
the  absence  of  its  colonel.  Gen.  D.  McM.  Gregg  had  resigned, 
and  the  division  was  in  command  of  Gen.  George  Crook. 

March  29th  the  regiment  started  with  the  whole  cavalry 
force,  under  command  of  General  Sheridan,  on  what  proved  to 
be  the  last  grand  campaign  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  On 
the  31st  about  the  middle  of  the  forenoon  the  regiment,  then 
in  bivouac  near  Dinwiddie  Court  House,  was  ordered  to  go  to 
the  aid  of  the  pickets  at  once.  The  remainder  of  the  brigade 
was  posted  along  the  bank  of  a creek  (Great  Cat  Tail  or 
Chamberlain’s  Bed) , to  protect  the  ford  and  prevent  the  enemy 
from  crossing.  Arriving  in  the  vicinity  of  the  creek,  Captain 
Myrick’s  battalion  was  ordered  to  cross  and  reconnoiter  the 
woods  and  adjacent  country,  while  the  remainder  of  the  regi- 
ment was  dismounted  and  prepared  to  fight  on  foot  in  a field 
behind  a rising  ground.  About  one  o’clock  heavy  firing  indi- 
cating that  Captain  Myrick’s  battalion  was  being  driven  in,  the 
remainder  of  the  regiment  was  advanced  to  the  top  of  the  hill 
in  line  of  skirmishers.  Arriving  there  they  found  Captain 
Myrick’s  battalion  fighting  manfully  in  the  road,  while  beyond 
this  battalion  was  a force  of  the  enemy’s  cavalry  charging  up  the 
road,  and  in  the  field,  coming  out  of  the  woods  that  skirted  the 
creek,  a long  line  of  dismounted  men.  The  boys  opened  fire 
and  with  a cheer  started  for  the  enemy.  The  rebel  cavalry 
in  the  road  fought  bravely,  but  the  First  Maine  repeaters  were 
too  much  for  them  and  they  were  forced  to  retire,  the  dis- 
mounted line  in  the  field  going  with  them.  The  First  Maine 
followed  quickly  and  took  position  in  the  thicket  on  the  bank 
of  the  creek,  and  prepared  to  hold  it.  A scattering  fire  was 
kept  up  till  between  four  and  five  o’clock,  when  the  enemy 
made  a gallant  charge  and  forced  the  regiment  and  the  whole 
brigade  back  slowly,  the  men  fighting  for  every  inch  of  ground 
and  being  pressed  back  by  mere  force  of  numbers.  At  last 
the  regiment  reached  a line  of  breastworks  behind  which  was  a 
Union  force,  and  the  fight  was  over.  In  this  engagement  the 
whole  division  took  part,  though  this  regiment  bore  the  brunt 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


511 


of  the  fighting,  being  in  the  road  and  at  the  ford,  and  losing 
more  than  all  the  remainder  of  the  division,  and  the  stubborn 
fighting  of  this  regiment  enabled  General  Sheridan  to  place  his 
troops  in  a position  of  his  own  choosing,  thus  contributing  to 
the  glorious  victory  at  Five  Forks  the  next  day.  So  this 
engagement  was  really  part  of  the  battle  of  Five  Forks,  though 
borne  on  the  battle  flag  as  "Dinwiddie  Court  House.” 

The  loss  in  the  regiment  was  Lieutenant  Stayner  of  D and 
15  men,  killed ; Major  Chadbourne,  Lieutenant  Comins  of  A 
(who  died),  Lieutenant  Fuller  of  B,  Captain  Howe  of  D,  and 
71  men  wounded,  of  whom  9 died;  and  7 taken  prisoners,  of 
whom  2 were  wounded. 

The  day  after  the  engagement  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House, 
April  1st,  the  brigade,  having  suffered  the  most  severely,  was 
allowed  a partial  rest,  and  this  regiment  was  sent  on  picket  in 
the  rear,  to  guard  the  train.  The  evening  of  the  next  day  the 
march  was  taken  up,  the  regiment  being  rear  guard  for  the  train. 

By  the  3d  Petersburg  had  been  captured,  Richmond  evacu- 
ated, and  the  rebel  army  was  in  full  retreat  with  General  Sher- 
idan in  close  pursuit,  and  this  regiment  joined  in  the  pursuit. 
On  the  5th  the  brigade  was  hurriedly  sent  to  the  support  of  the 
First  and  Second  brigades,  which  had  attacked  Lee’s  retreating 
army  successfully,  capturing  five  pieces  of  artillery,  wagons  and 
prisoners,  but  had  been  surrounded  by  rebel  infantry.  These 
brigades  being  relieved  brought  in  their  captures,  and  though 
this  regiment  had  some  severe  skirmishing,  having  the  rear  on 
the  return  and  being  at  one  time  nearly  surrounded,  the  loss 
was  small,  one  wounded  and  one  taken  prisoner. 

Deatonsville. — The  morning  of  the  6th  the  cavalry  was 
early  in  motion,  marching  on  a road  nearly  parallel  with  the 
road  on  which  Lee’s  army  was  retreating,  the  wagon  trains  of 
the  enemy  being  in  sight  on  the  hills  in  the  distance.  Between 
eleven  and  twelve  o’clock  the  brigade  turned  to  the  right, 
marched  a short  distance  in  the  direction  of  the  rebel  trains  and 
then  charged  upon  the  trains,  this  regiment  being  on  the  right 
of  the  road.  There  was  a scramble  through  a swamp  in  the 
woods,  and  before  half  the  regiment  had  got  through  this,  with 
a cheer  the  boys  sprang  up  a hill,  halted  till  the  rest  of  the 


512 


JIAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


regiment  had  arrived,  then  started  on  the  charge  in  another 
direction.  This  charge  was  not  successful  in  reach  in  <r  the 
train,  and  after  remaining  in  the  vicinity  an  hour  or  two  the 
regiment  retired,  having  lost  Captain  Heald  of  E and  4 men, 
killed  ; Adjutant  Little,  Captain  Freese  and  8 men  wounded, 
of  whom  2 died,  and  one  wounded  and  taken  prisoner. 

Sailor’s  Creek. — The  regiment  then  followed  after  the 
column,  which  continued  on  its  way,  the  corps  commanders 
sending  brigades  or  divisions  to  charge  upon  the  enemy’s 
retreating  train  at  every  cross-road.  Along  in  the  afternoon 
the  division  was  ordered  to  take  position  on  Sailor’s  Creek,  at 
the  left  of  General  Custer’s  division,  which  was  having'  a severe 
engagement.  Here  the  regiment  charged  dismounted  upon  the 
enemy  posted  behind  breastworks  and  drove  him  away,  reaching 
and  passing  the  enemy’s  train,  which  the  rebels  had  fired  when 
they  saw  capture  was  inevitable.  At  the  same  time  the  other 
troops,  the  cavalry  and  the  infantry  of  the  Sixth  corps,  charged 
all  along  the  line,  with  the  result  that  a large  portion  of  the 
enemy’s  train  was  destroyed  and  seven  general  officers  and 
thousands  of  prisoners  were  captured.  The  loss  to  the  regi- 
ment in  this  engagement,  so  fraught  with  important  results, 
was  2 killed ; Lieutenant  Poor  of  B,  who  was  detailed  to  act 
as  Adjutant  when  Adjutant  Little  was  wounded,  and  3 men 
wounded  of  whom  2 died. 

Farmville.  — Early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  the  column 
was  in  motion.  The  regiment  had  a skirmish  at  Briery  Creek, 
where  one  man  was  killed  and  one  wounded,  then  charged  and 
drove  the  enemy,  then  followed  the  brigade  to  Farmville,  where 
a lively  fight  was  in  progress  in  which  the  artillery  took  part. 
The  enemy  had  been  driven  out  of  the  town,  it  was  thought, 
and  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  charge  into  the  town  and  cap- 
ture all  the  prisoners  possible,  and  it  started  promptly  upon  what 
proved  to  be  its  last  mounted  charge.  Adown  the  hill  the  boys 
went,  in  face  of  an  artillery  fire  from  the  enemy,  into  the  town 
on  three  roads,  and  through  the  town,  where  they  met  with  a 
heavy  volley  of  musketry  right  in  their  faces.  Then  there  was 
a remarkably  lively  skirmish  for  a few  minutes,  and  finally  the 
enemy  was  driven  away  from  the  town  ; the  regiment  advanced 


FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


513 


to  the  top  of  the  hill  beyond,  where  there  was  skirmishing,  and 
the  fighting  ended  there,  although  the  Second  brigade  was  having 
it  hot  a little  further  to  the  right.  In  this  engagement  the  reg- 
iment lost  1 killed,  3 wounded,  and  1 taken  prisoner. 

Appomattox  Court  House. — The  next  day’s  march  brought 
the  brigade  to  Appomattox  Station  at  dusk.  The  orders  were 
to  unsaddle  and  go  into  camp,  and  were  cheerfully  obeyed,  for 
there  had  been  little  rest  and  sleep  since  the  campaign  opened. 
But  the  men  had  not  fairly  eaten  supper  and  spread  their  blank- 
ets before  the  order  came  to  " saddle,  pack,  and  be  ready  to 
move  out  immediately.”  The  brigade  with  two  pieces  of  artil- 
lery was  sent  out  to  hold  the  Lynchburg  road  through  which 
General  Sheridan  believed  General  Lee,  being  in  a tight  place, 
would  try  to  escape  during  the  night.  The  brigade  marched 
through  burning  wagons,  burning  stores,  and  all  the  debris  of 
a demoralized  retreating  army,  until  the  enemy  was  found 
about  midnight,  and  then  formed  a line  of  battle  near  the  top 
of  Clover  Hill,  this  regiment  being  dismounted  and  posted 
across  the  road,  while  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  was  on  the 
right  of  the  road  with  the  guns  in  rear.  Firing  commenced 
with  dawn  the  9th  of  April.  For  awhile  it  was  a skirmish  fire 
which  grew  quite  hot  at  times,  and  finally  a strong  force  of 
rebel  infantry  was  seen  coming  around  the  left.  This  force 
approached  slowly,  the  First  Maine  boys,  swinging  around  with 
the  road  to  meet  them,  poured  into  them  a heavy  fire.  But  the 
enemy’s  force  was  too  strong,  outnumbering  the  Union  cavalry 
ten  to  one,  and  slowly  pressed  back  the  little  brigade,  the  boys 
fighting  stubbornly  until  the  woods  in  rear  of  the  field  were 
reached,  when  the  brigade  was  relieved  and  it  withdrew  from 
the  field  ; it  was  relieved  by  the  colored  infantry  of  the  Twenty- 
fifth  corps,  then  serving  with  the  Twenty-fourth  corps.  The 
infantry  charged  across  the  field  and  the  war  was  ended. 
The  loss  to  the  regiment  in  this  the  last  engagement  of  the 
army  of  the  Potomac,  in  which  it  held  a post  of  honor,  was  2 
killed;  Lieutenant  Coburn  of  A and  17  men  wounded  of  whom 
four  died  ; and  one  taken  prisoner. 

The  total  loss  to  the  regiment  in  this  brief  and  brilliant 
campaign  was  27  killed,  117  wounded  of  whom  18  died,  3 
wounded  and  taken  prisoners,  and  8 taken  prisoners. 


514 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


After  more  marching  the  brigade  settled  down  at  Ettricks, 
near  Petersburg,  this  regiment  being  sent  into  different  counties 
to  do  the  work  for  the  freedmen  which  the  Freedmen’s  Bureau 
was  later  created  to  perform.  While  here  Perry  Chandler  of 
company  G and  Melvin  Preble  of  company  K organized  and 
taught  a free  school  in  the  village,  and  did  excellent  service 
in  that  line  for  about  two  months,  until  the  req-iment  was 
mustered  out,  August,  1865,  its  work  being  done,  and  glori- 
ously done. 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  First 
Maine  Cavalry  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army 
Register,  published  by  the  War  Department  August  31,  1865, 
and  other  reliable  sources. 

Officers  at  Final  Muster-out,  August  i,  1865. 

Colonel:  Charles  H.  Smith,  June  18,  1863, — brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Vols., 
Aug.  1,  1864;  brevet  Maj.-Gen.  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  commiss’ed  Col.  28th 
U.  S.  Inf.,  July  28,  1866,  tr.  to  19th  Inf.; — brevet  Brig.-  and  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S. 

A. ,  Mar.  2,  1867;  retired  Nov.  1,  1891. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Jonathan  P.  Cilley,  Sept.  2,  1864, — brevet  Col. 
Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Vols  , June  2,  1865. 

Majors:  Constantine  Taylor,  Feb.  24,  1864, — brevet  Lieut. -Col.,  Mar. 
13,  1S65;  Benjamin  F.  Tucker,  Sept.  3,  1864, — brevet  Lieut. -Col.;  Paul 
Chadbourne,  Feb.  21,  1865. 

Adjutant:  First  Lieutenant  Thaddeus  Little,  Mar.  25,  1865. 

Captains:  John  D.  Myrick,  July  1,  1863, — brevet  Major  U.  S.  Vols.  and 
U.  S.  A.,  commiss’d  First  Lieut.  10th  U.  S.  Cav.,  1867,  resigned  May,  1872; 
Henry  C.  Hall,  July  30,  1863, — brevet  Major,  1865;  Andrew  M.  Benson,  Feb. 
16,  1864, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.,  previously  Lieut.  7th  Maine  Inf.;  John  W. 
Freese,  Feb.  18,  1864,  brevet  Major,  1865, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.  and  7th 
Maine  Inf. ; WilliamS.  Howe,  Mar.  15,  1864,— tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Jacob 

B.  Loring,  Sept.  5,  1864;  William  L.  Boyd,  Mar.  25,  1865;  Levi  H.  Daggett, 
Apr.  14,  1865;  George  W.  Hussey,  May  1,  1865;  Joel  Wilson,  May  16,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  James  Maguire,  Feb.  8,  1864, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C. 
Cav.;  Commissary  M.  T.  V.  Bowman,  Feb.  13,  1864;  James  H.  Russell,  Feb. 
19,  1864, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Edward  P.  Merrill,  Mar.  4,  1864,— tr.  from 
1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Orrin  S.  Haskell,  Oct.  1,  1864;  George  F.  Jewett,  Nov.  25, 
1864;  J.  Kidder  Brooks,  Dec.  3,  1864;  James  W.  Poor,  Dec.  12,  1864;  Henry 
A.  Willis,  Apr.  14,  1865;  Benjamin  A.  Osborne,  May  1,  1865;  John  E.  Lougee, 
May  16,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Joseph  W.  Lee,  Feb.  24,  1864, — tr.  from  1st 
D.  C.  Cav.;  William  S.  Farwell,  Feb.  26,  1864, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.; 
Henry  D.  Fuller,  Mar.  24,  1864, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Edward  Jordan, 


ROSTER  OF  THE  FIRST  MAINE  CAVALRY. 


515 


Dec.  12,  1864;  William  J.  Crooker,  Dec.  16,  1864;  George  E.  Jumper,  Apr. 
14,  1865;  Edward  P.  Tobie,  Jr.,  May  3,  1865;  Albert  R.  Johnson,  May  4,  1865; 
Charles  A.  Stevens,  May  4,  1865;  Jefferson  L.  Coburn,  May  4,  1865. 

Surgeon:  Horace  Stevens,  Dec.  3,  1864.  Assistant  Surgeons: 
George  J.  Northrop,  Apr.  2,  1864, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Frank  Bodfish, 
May  3,  1865. 

Chaplain:  Samuel  H.  Merrill,  Mar.  4,  1864, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav. 

Mustered  Out  with  the  Original  Men,  November  25,  1864, 

By  Reason  of  Expiration  of  Term  of  Service. 

Major:  Sidney  W.  Thaxter,  July  24,  1863; — recipient  of  Congressional 
medal  of  honor. 

Captains:  Horace  S.  Cole,  Dec.  1,  1863;  Isaac  G.  Virgin,  Dec.  31, 1862. 

First  Lieutenants:  William  P.  Coleman,  Jan.  22,  1862;  Horatio  S. 
Libby,  July  24,  1863;  Phineas  Foster,  Jr.,  Feb.  9,  1864;  Calvin  B.  Benson, 
Feb.  9,  1864;  John  R.  Andrews,  July  24,  1863;  Frank  W.  Pray,  Dec.  23,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Frank  M.  Cutler,  Jan.  22,  1862;  William  F. 
Stone,  Oct.  23, 1862,  muster-out  Dec.  6,  1864;  Samuel  C.  Smith,  Aug.  20, 1863. 

Surgeon:  George  W.  Colby,  Oct.  31,  1861. 

( Dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission,  those  given  hereafter 
refer  to  date  of  the  event. ) 

Died. 

Colonel:  Calvin  S.  Douty,  killed  in  action  at  Aldie,  Va.,  June  17, 1863. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  Stephen  Boothby,  June  6,  1864,  of  wounds  in 
action  of  May  10. 

Captains:  George  J.  Summat,  killed  in  battle  of  Aldie,  June  17,  1863; 
Osco  A.  Ellis,  killed  in  battle  of  St.  Mary’s  Church,  June  24,  1864;  Walstein 
Phillips,  killed  in  battle  of  St.  Mary’s  Church,  on  staff  of  Gen.  Gregg,  June 
24,  1864;  Addison  P.  Russell,  Sept.  20,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action; 
John  A.  Heald,  killed  in  action  Apr.  6,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  William  Harris,  killed  accidentally  at  Jones’ 
Bridge,  Va.,  May  17,  1864;  Charles  K.  Johnson,  in  southern  prison,  May  27, 
1865. 

Second  Lieutenants:  George  S.  Kimball,  pro.  Captain,  not  must’d, 
killed  in  battle  of  Middleburg,  Va.,  June  19,  1863;  Ephraim  H.  Taylor,  killed 
in  battle  of  Middleburg,  June  19,  1863;  Mark  Neville,  killed  in  battle  of  Mid- 
dleburg, June  19,  1863;  William  H.  Bradman,  July  30,  1864,  of  disease; 
Winfield  S.  Collins,  killed  in  battle  of  Boydton  Road,  Oct.  27,  1864;  James 
E.  Stayner,  killed  in  battle  of  Dinwiddie  C.  H.,  Va.,  Mar.  31,  1865;  Leander 
M.  Comins, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.,  Apr.  8,  1865,  of  wounds  received  at 
battle  of  Dinwiddie  C.  H. 

Chaplain:  George  W.  Bartlett,  killed  in  action,  June  2,  1864,  at  Bar- 
ker’s Mills,  Va. 

Promoted  and  Transferred  out  of  Regiment. 

Captains:  Llewellyn  G.  Estes,  Dec.  8,  1863,  to  Captain  and  Major,  A. 
A.  G., — brevet  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  Andrew  B.  Spurling, 
Jan.  12,  1864,  to  Major,  afterwards  Lieut.-Col.,  2d  Maine  Cav., — brevet  Brig.- 
General  U.  S.  Vols.,  Mar.  26,  1865;  Andrew  H.  Bibber,  Apr.  22,  1865,  to 
Captain  and  A.  A.  G.;  First  Lieut.  Charles  W.  Ford,  Jan.  21,  1S65.  to  Cap- 
tain and  A.  Q.  M. ; Asst.  Surgeon  Sumner  A.  Patten,  to  Surgeon,  Board  of 
Enrollment,  Apr.,  1863. 


516 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Discharged. 

Major:  David  P.  Stowell,  Feb.  15,  1863. 

Captains:  William  Montgomery,  Oct.  8,  1864,  for  disability;  Edward 
T.  Sanford,  Dec.  8,  1864,  for  disability, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Thomas  C. 
Webber,  Feb.  2,  1865,  for  disability, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Charles  C. 
Chase,  May  20,  1865, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav. 

First  Lieutenant:  Commissary  Eustace  C.  Bigelow,  Dec.  30,  1863, 
for  disability. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Marcus  A.  Vose,  Jan.  10,  1863;  Henry  S. 
McIntyre,  Feb.  1,  1863;  George  E.  Bugbee,  Dec.  4,  1864,  for  disability; 
Sylvanus  R.  Jackson,  Mar.  6,  1865,  for  disability, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.; 
Henry  F.  Blanchard,  Mar.  18,  1865;  John  F.  McKusick,  Apr.  10,  1865, — tr. 
from  1st  D.  C.  Cav. 

Assistant  Surgeon:  Alexander  M.  Parker,  Sept.  1,  1864,  for  disability. 
After  expiration  of  term  of  service:  Captains:  Zenas  Vaughan,  July  24, 
1863,  pris.  of  war  May  11,  1864,  disch’d  May  29,  1865;  John  P.  Carson,  Mar. 
30,  1864,  pris.  of  war  June  24,  1864,  disch’d  Feb.  24,  1865.  First  Lieutenant 
Charles  O.  Gordon,  Mar.  30,  1864,  pris.  of  war  June  24,  1864;  disch’d  May 
6,  1865.  Second  Lieutenant  Lorenzo  White,  May  20,  1865. 

Resigned. 

Colonels:  John  Goddard,  Feb.  12,  1862;  Samuel  H.  Allen,  Dec.  12, 1862. 
Lieutenant-Colonel:  Thomas  Hight,  W.  P.  R.  A.,  Mar.  14,  1862. 
Majors:  Warren  L.  Whitney,  May  13,  1863;  George  M.  Brown,  Feb. 
11,  1864;  Daniel  S.  Curtis,  Jan.  18,  1865, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.;  Joel  W. 
Cloudman,  Feb.  20,  1865,  for  disability, — tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav. 

Adjutant:  First  Lieutenant  Jarvis  C.  Stevens,  Dec.  26,  1862. 
Captains:  Nathan  Mayhew,  May  20,  1862;  Augustus  J.  Burbank,  Aug. 
14,  1862;  Zebulon  B.  Blethen,  Dec.  1,  1862,^ — recommissioned  First  Lieut,  in 
and  tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.,  muster-in  revoked;  Louis  O.  Cowan,  Dec.  2, 
1862;  George  Prince,  Dec.  9,  1862;  George  Cary,  Jan.  4,  1863;  Reuben  B. 
Jennings,  Jan.  15,  1863;  Black  H.  Putnam,  Feb.  19,  1863;  Robert  F.  Dyer, 
June  4,  1863, — recommissioned  in  and  tr.  from  1st  D.  C.  Cav.,  resigned  Nov. 
21,  1864. 

First  Lieutenants:  Charles  S.  Crosby,  Oct.  31,  1861;  John  C.  C. 
Bowen,  Feb.  18,  1862;  Charles  H.  Baker,  June  13,  1862;  George  Weston, 
Oct.  10,  1862;  John  R.  Webb,  Oct.  14,  1862;  John  H.  Goddard,  Feb.  23, 
1863,  for  disability;  Evans  S.  Pillsbury,  Mar.  5,  1863,  for  disability;  Dudley 
L.  Haines,  Mar.  12,  1863;  George  E.  Hunton,  Oct.  1,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Joseph  C.  Hill,  Oct.  24,  1862;  Samuel  B.  M. 
Lovejoy,  Apr.  16,  1864. 

Quartermasters:  First  Lieutenants  Edward  M.  Patten,  May  8,  1862; 
Andrew  Griffin,  Mar.  9,  1863;  Clarence  D.  Ulmer,  May  26,  1865. 

Chaplains:  Benjamin  F.Tefft,  Dec.  24,1862;  Samuel  Fuller,  May.  5,1863. 
Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

Asst.  Surgeon  George  W.  Haley,  dis.  Nov.  15,  1862;  First  Lieutenant 
Miles  Colbath,  dis.  Sept.  3,  1864. 


\ / 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION. 


517 


MONUMENT. 

This  monument,  of  Hallowell  granite,  stands  on  the  north  side  of  Balti- 
more Pike  about  1,200  yards  towards  the  town  from  Rock  Creek  where  it 
crosses  the  pike,  and  about  600  yards  in  an  air-line  north  from  the  summit  of 
Powers’  Hill.  It  marks  the  place  where  the  battalion  stood  on  the  evening 
of  July  2d.  It  has  an  equal-sided  shaft  with  a pyramidal  apex,  the  junction 
with  the  base  accented  by  a double  projecting  fillet  and  scotia  beneath 
molded  in  from  the  upper  edge  of  the  plinth,  being  a part  of  the  same  block; 
it  rests  upon  a broad  sub-base  showing  a beveled  water  table. 

Admeasurements:  Base,  four  feet  six  inches  by  four  feet  six  inches  by 
one  foot  three  inches;  plinth,  three  feet  two  inches  by  three  feet  two  inches 
by  two  feet  three  inches;  shaft,  two  feet  three  inches  by  two  feet  three  inches 
by  six  feet  six  inches.  Total  height,  ten  feet. 

Upon  one  side  of  the  shaft  appears,  in  relief,  the  five-pointed  star  of  the 
Twelfth  Army  Corps,  and  below  the  star  the  following  inscriptions: 

★ 

10th  Maine 
Battalion. 

Provost  Guard. 

12th  Corps  Hd.  Qrs. 

Maj.  Genl.  Slocum. 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION, 

headquarters’  guard,  twelfth  army  corps, 

AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG. 


COMPILATION  BY  MAJOR  JOHN  M.  GOULD. 

AS  historian  of  the  1—1 0-2 9th  Maine  regiment  it  has  fallen 
to  my  lot  to  narrate  the  part  taken  by  the  Tenth  Maine 
battalion  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  It  is  not  possible 
for  me  to  make  the  familiar  quotation,  — "all  of  which  I saw, 
and  part  of  which  I was,” — therefore  I have  been  compelled  to 
learn  the  facts  from  the  actors. 

Of  the  205  members  of  the  battalion  who  were  " present  for 
duty”  in  the  battle,  88  have  been  visited  or  reached  by  mail. 
From  these  I have  got  the  narrative  which  follows.  Memories 
are  very  treacherous  after  so  long  a time,  but  every  statement 
made  here  seems  to  be  well  vouched.  A copy  of  the  monthly 
return  for  June  30th,  which  was  really  made  July  1st  while 
Reynolds  was  fighting,  is  the  basis  of  the  rolls  of  the  members 
present ; the  return  names  the  " absent  ” ; I have  learned  the 
"present”  by  help  of  the  survivors. 

On  April  26,  1863,  when  the  Tenth  Maine  regiment  was 
ordered  home  for  muster-out,  244  three-years’  men,  of  whom 
many  were  absent  wounded,  were  retained  "in  the  field.” 
These  were  organized  into  three  companies,  styled  the  Tenth 
Maine  battalion.  The  men  were  very  efficient  in  guard  and 
kindred  duties.  At  the  great  inspection  of  Hooker’s  army  in 
February,  1863,  when  only  eleven  regiments  were  named  as 
having  "earned  high  commendation,”  the  Tenth  was  one.  It 
was  natural,  therefore,  that  Gen.  Slocum  should  detach  the 
battalion  from  the  brigade  (Knipe’s,  formerly  Crawford’s)  for 
the  provost  guard  of  his  army  corps,  the  Twelfth. 

Captain  John  Q.  Adams  as  senior  officer  of  the  battalion 
took  command,  but  when  Gen.  Slocum  learned  that  an  old 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION  ENGAGED. 


519 


wound  made  marching  difficult  for  the  captain,  he  detached  him 
to  be  provost  marshal  of  the  corps.  Captain  Beardsley  there- 
upon took  command  of  the  battalion  and  was  in  charge  during 
the  Gettysburg  campaign. 

A large  number  of  men  were  at  once  detailed  for  gmard 
duty  around  corps  headquarters,  also  as  wagoners  or  mechanics 
under  the  corps  quartermaster,  and  for  clerks  or  orderlies  of 
the  various  staff  officers,  consequently  the  number  actually  in 
line  armed  with  muskets  at  the  time  of  battle  was  considerably 
less  than  the  number  present  for  rations.  A cattle-guard  of 
sixteen  men  was  detailed  from  the  battalion  a short  time  before 
starting  on  the  Gettysburg  campaign ; they  had  the  care  of 
about  two  hundred  beeves,  and  when  upon  the  march  they 
followed  the  hospital  supply  train,  which  moved  immediately 
behind  the  troops.  A detail  into  this  guard  would  ordinarily 
be  considered  desirable  by  a soldier  in  search  of  adventure  and 
a free  and  easy  life.  Their  part  at  Gettysburg  was  to  march 
to  the  front,  as  usual,  with  the  corps  on  July  1st,  then  when  it 
was  discovered  that  they  were  too  near  the  enemy  they  were 
sent  back  to  Westminster,  Md.,  marching  all  night  of  the  1st 
and  part  of  the  2d  day  and  once  more  going  to  the  front  during 
the  night  of  July  3d-4th,  and  then  moAring  with  the  army  in 
pursuit  of  Lee.  There  was  a plenty  of  free  and  easy  adventure 
but  only  a little  sleep  in  all  this. 

The  pitching  and  striking  of  the  headquarters’  tents  was  also 
done  by  the  battalion,  Sergeant  Maurice  Hayes  being  especially 
charged  with  this  duty.  He  had  twelve  men  under  him,  and 
they  were  also  expected  to  put  the  headquarters’  grounds  in  the 
best  and  neatest  possible  condition. 

The  itinerary  of  the  Twelfth  army  corps  will  be  found  in 
Yol.  XXVII,  Part  1 (Serial  43)  of  the  Official  Records,  page 
140.  The  battalion  usually  marched  in  the  rear  of  the  corps 
and  camped  near  to  Gen.  Slocum,  always  ready  for  any  emer- 
gency and  able  to  answer  promptly  any  call  of  the  general  or 
his  staff. 

Colonel  Beardsley  writes  : "We  came  up  by  way  of  Fred- 
erick, Md.,  crossed  the  Pennsylvania  line  and  camped  near 
Littlestown,  Pa.,  the  night  of  June  30th.  Some  Union  cavalry 


520 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


came  in  during  the  night  and  turned  over  to  me  a number  of 
Confederate  prisoners  (a)  which  they  had  captured  near  York, 
Pa.  ; one  of  these  was  a Lieut. -Col.  from  North  Carolina  who 
was  wounded.  Dr.  Howard  was  awakened  and  attended  to  him 
and  the  other  wounded  ones.  In  the  morning  we  took  all  of 
the  officers  to  the  hotel  and  gave  them  a breakfast.” 

The  morning  of  July  1st,  therefore,  found  the  battalion  lying 
quietly  in  bivouac  at  Littlestown,  ten  miles  from  the  battlefield. 
At  8 a.  M.  they  marched  toward  Two  Taverns,  where  a halt 
was  made.  About  noon  the  regular  monthly  inspection  and 
muster  (postponed  from  the  day  before)  was  in  preparation 
when  the  news  was  brought  that  the  First  corps  was  fighting 
at  Gettysburg  and  that  Gen.  Reynolds  had  been  killed.  Gen. 
Slocum  immediately  galloped  to  the  front,  while  Gen.  Williams 
took  command  of  the  Twelfth  corps  and  promptly  followed 
after.  On  arriving  at  the  field,  Gen.  Slocum’s  headquarters 
were  established  on  Powers’  Hill,  but  the  main  body  of  the 
battalion  was  at  once  put  to  the  task  of  arresting  the  stream  of 
stragglers  and  skulks  which  is  always  flowing  out  in  rear  of  the 
fighting  line.  Here  let  it  be  stated  that  there  was  less  skulking 
at  Gettysburg  than  at  any  other  of  the  great  battles  of  the  army 
of  the  Potomac.  This  line  was  across  the  Baltimore  Pike,  the 
stone  bridge  over  McAllister’s  Run  being  in  the  centre  of  it, 
the  left  extending  toward  but  not  reaching  the  Taneytown  road. 
The  line  was  shortened  or  drawn  in  altogether  during  the  night, 
only  a small  guard  being  left  on  duty.  The  battalion  remained 
in  this  vicinity  during  the  other  two  days.  In  the  afternoon 
of  the  second  day,  when  the  attack  was  made  upon  Greene’s 
brigade  on  Culp’s  Hill,  the  battalion  was  for  a few  hours  on 
the  northeast  side  of  the  Baltimore  Pike,  near  the  point  where 
Gen.  Williams’  headquarters  are  designated  on  the  official  maps 
and  where  the  battalion  monument  now  stands.  But  numerous 
details  had  reduced  the  command  by  this  time  to  a score  or  two 
of  private  soldiers  with  a disproportionate  number  of  officers 
and  non-commissioned  officers. 

As  soon  as  the  battalion  arrived  near  the  battlefield  a call 
was  made  for  o-uards  to  g-o  here  and  there  to  do  all  the  various 

O O 

(a)  Col.  King’s  diary  gives  the  number  as  fifty  and  names  Lieut. -Col.  Paine  as  one. 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION  ENGAGED. 


521 


duties  needful.  Few  of  these  can  now  be  accurately  defined, 
but  it  is  well  remembered  that  a field  hospital  of  the  Twelfth 
corps  was  at  once  established  near  Powers’  Hill,  where  Slocum’s 
tents  were  pitched,  and  among  others  a detail  of  six  men  was 
sent  for  Dr.  McNulty,  medical  director  of  the  Twelfth  corps, 
additional  to  those  who  helped  at  first  to  establish  the  field 
hospital ; five  men  were  sent  to  the  Signal  officer  to  assist  him 
to  get  to  work ; they  found  enough  to  do,  under  his  direction, 
for  the  whole  three  days.  A number  of  women  and  children 
who  had  left  their  homes  when  the  First  and  Eleventh  corps 
fell  back  were  put  under  the  care  of  the  battalion  and  sent 
farther  to  the  rear.  On  the  second  day  corporals  Coy  of  D and 
Jones  of  B with  six  men  each  were  sent  to  guard  springs  near 
the  centre  of  the  field,  that  the  water  might  be  used  exclusively 
for  the  wounded.  When  the  attack  was  made  on  Sickles  they 
were  relieved. 

A party  of  Confederate  prisoners  was  turned  over  to  the 
battalion  during  the  evening  of  the  first  day,  and  a detail  of 
thirty  men  under  Lieut.  Libby  was  made  to  escort  them  to  the 
rear.  Stillman  Emerson  describes  this  as  " an  all-night  march  ” 
with  an  immediate  return  to  the  front  again  on  the  2d,  where 
they  all  arrived  on  the  early  morning  of  July  3d  "never  so 
tired,  hungry,  cross  and  sleepy.”  Lieut.  Libby’s  remembrance 
of  this  event  is,  that  there  were  twenty-seven  prisoners  and  that 
they  were  sent  eighteen  miles  to  the  rear  and  there  turned  over 
to  troops  belonging  to  Gen.  Patrick,  Provost  Marshal-General 
of  the  army. 

From  many  correspondents  comes  a pleasing  word  given  as 
evidence  of  good  feeling  between  the  battalion  and  Gen.  Slo- 
cum. They  say  that  when  supper  time  came,  July  1st,  the 
general  did  not  hesitate  to  ask  Corporal  Thad.  Cross,  who 
chanced  to  be  near,  if  he  had  anything  to  spare  in  his  haver- 
sack. Cross  without  flinching  promptly  produced  a hardtack 
and  a slice  of  raw  salt  pork,  and  they  say  this  was  all  that  the 
commander  of  the  right  wing  had  for  " tea  ” that  night. 

A little  before  noon  of  the  second  day  Gen.  Slocum  called 
for  " six  volunteers  for  a dangerous  duty,”  men  to  go  without 
arms,  but  with  their  canteens  and  haversacks.  The  private 


522 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


soldiers  of  the  battalion  were  nearly  all  off  on  various  details 
at  that  moment.  It  thus  happened  that  so  many  who  went  were 
non-commissioned  officers . The  general  instructed  them  to  go 
out  on  the  right  (east  or  northeast)  till  they  found  the  enemy. 
They  were  to  make  note  in  a book  furnished  them  of  all  the 
houses  and  springs  they  saw,  and  to  get  the  names  of  all 
the  tenants  of  the  houses.  If  captured  they  were  to  pretend 
that  they  were  hunting  for  food  and  water.  As  well  as  can 
now  be  determined,  they  passed  along  the  main  line  of  the 
Twelfth  corps  on  Culp’s  Hill  to  the  right,  then  out  through 
the  line  of  the  2d  Mass,  regt.,  past  the  Union  pickets,  and 
through  the  rough  woods  till  they  found  the  enemy’s  pickets. 
First  Sergeant  Tarr  writes  that  the  four  men  of  A,  (Cole, 
Fletcher,  himself  and  one  now  forgotten)  went  and  returned 
together,  and  that  the  scouting  party  was  sent  out  to  learn  the 
significance  of  the  movement  that  had  been  observed  of  Confed- 
erate troops  and  wagons  toward  the  Union  right.  The  scouts 
went  through  the  woods,  climbing  trees  occasionally  for  obser- 
vation, till  they  came  to  an  opening  where  were  a house  and 
outbuildings.  On  reaching  the  house  Tarr  saw  enemy’s  soldiers 
in  the  outbuildings  watching-  them.  He  feigned  not  to  see  the 
enemy,  but  quietly  explained  to  the  others  that  they  would  have 
to  run,  and  at  a signal  from  him  they  all  made  a dash  back  to 
the  woods.  The  confeds  fired  at  them  but  no  one  was  hurt. 
They  all  reported  to  Gen.  Slocum  and  had  received  his  thanks 
before  2 p.  m. 

Henry  F.  Cole  writes  that  he  and  Sydney  W.  Fletcher,  both 
of  company  A,  "went  over  the  mountain”  (Wolf  Hill)  and 
through  woods  all  of  the  way.  About  a mile  out  they  met  a man 
and  his  daughter  who  told  them  that  the  Union  picket  line  was 
half  a mile  farther,  but  the  scouts  knew  it  must  be  the  Confed- 
erate line,  and  advanced  cautiously  till  they  came  to  an  opening. 
Here  they  found  the  enemy’s  picket  line  stationed  near  a barn. 
They  drank  from  a spring  near  by,  where  the  enemy’s  pickets 
also  filled  their  canteens,  and  a little  before  2 p.  M.  got  back 
to  Gen.  Slocum,  who  thanked  them  well  for  their  promptness 
and  the  information  they  had  brought. 

First  Sergt.  Kallock  and  Sergt.  Anderson  of  D appear  to 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION  ENGAGED. 


523 


have  gone  to  the  same  house  that  Sergt.  Tarr  had  visited  earlier 
(probably  the  one  marked  E.  Deordorff  on  the  maps).  Ander- 
son while  drinking  at  the  spring-house  saw  a man,  who  appeared 
to  be  the  farmer,  standing  in  the  door  of  the  barn  up  the  hill. 
As  the  man  turned  he  showed  his  cartridge  box,  whereupon 
Anderson  ran  behind  the  spring-house  and  told  Kallock,  Avho 
made  sport  of  this  and  started  alone  for  the  barn  ; but  Ander- 
son seeing  a squad  of  soldiers  approaching  sang  out  to  Kallock, 
and  both  ran  for  the  woods.  The  Confederates  fired  at  them, 
but  they  got  away  safely  and  passed  farther  to  the  right  (east) 
till  they  were  sure  that  the  enemy’s  line  was  stationary,  i.  e., 
not  a line  of  skirmishers  advancing.  They  did  not  get  back 
to  General  Slocum  until  late  in  the  afternoon ; he  thanked 
them  also  very  heartily  and  remarked  that  he  had  feared  they 
were  captured. 

The  main  object  of  these  scouts  was  to  learn  if  the  enemy 
was  attempting  to  flank  the  right  of  Meade’s  army,  but  Gen. 
Slocum  also  used  the  information  they  brought  in  concerning 
the  position  of  the  houses,  springs,  etc.,  to  construct  his  map 
of  the  field. 

Colonel  Beardsley  thus  describes  an  incident  which  must 
have  occurred  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day  : — 

" * * * I was  considerably  impressed  by  seeing  the  very 

large  park  of  artillery  and  wagons  without  a guard  or  any  body 
of  men  excepting  our  little  battalion.  You  will  understand  of 
course,  although  I did  not  then  know  it,  that  we  were  near  the 
head  of  the  valley  behind  Cemetery  Hill,  and  that  the  pike 
which  continued  up  the  hill  in  front  of  us  led  into  the  town  of 
Gettysburg,  from  which  we  were  distant,  as  I think  from  subse- 
quent observation,  about  half  a mile.  As  I afterwards  found 
out  we  were  about  300  yards  from  the  line  of  battle  occupied 
by  our  corps  upon  Culp’s  Hill  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  army 
of  the  Potomac,  being  well  up  inside  of  the  line. 

" This  line  of  the  Twelfth  corps  was  on  considerably  higher 
ground  than  we  were,  but  between  us  and  it  there  was  a thick 
growth  of  underbrush  of  considerable  height  which  prevented 
us  from  seeing  or  having  any  knowledge  of  it  at  the  time.  We 
had  learned,  however,  very  shortly  after  our  arrival  there  that 


524 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBUKG. 


our  corps  was  in  line  of  battle  outside  of  us  in  that  direction, 

and  that  they  had  thrown  up  a rough  breastwork  along  the 

ridffe.  * * * 

© 

"We  began  to  hear  skirmish  firing  in  front  of  us  but  con- 
siderable distance  away ; this  firing  gradually  approached  us, 
but  it  was  not  heavy.  I presently  noticed  that  a good  many 
men  came  straggling  out  of  the  underbrush  and  crossed  the 
pike  below  us. 

" As  the  skirmish  firing  came  nearer  the  number  of  these 
stragglers  increased  very  largely.  They  were  going  back  with- 
out any  order  or  formation.  I walked  down  towards  where 
they  were  and  presently  saw  an  officer  whom  I knew  as  belong- 
ing to  our  corps.  I was  surprised  to  see  him  there,  and  I asked 
him  where  he  was  going.  He  replied  : ' I am  looking  for  the 
Twelfth  army  corps.’  Pointing  to  the  front  where  we  heard 
the  firing  I said  : ' If  you  will  go  out  in  that  direction  you  will 
probably  find  the  Twelfth  corps.’  I never  saw  one  get  more 
angry  than  he  did  in  an  instant.  He  said  : ' I have  been  in  the 
breastworks  of  the  Twelfth  corps  within  a few  minutes,  and  if 
you  have  the  nerve  to  go  with  me  I will  go  back  there ; the 
Confederate  troops  are  in  possession  of  them.’  After  he  got 
cooled  a little  he  told  me  in  substance  that  he  had  been  put  upon 
picket  in  front  of  the  corps  ; that  during  the  day  he  had  been 
pushed  back  by  a line  of  Confederates  heavier  than  his  own ; 
that  he  had  gradually  fallen  back  upon  the  breastworks  expect- 
ing to  find  the  corps  in  the  works  ; that  the  Confederates  were 
now  in  possession  of  the  works,  which  he  advised  me  were  not 
more  than  300  yards  from  where  we  were  ; and  that  there  was 
no  force  except  our  battalion  between  the  enemy  and  the  reserve 
artillery,  ammunition  and  baggage  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 

"I  found  a stray  cavalry-man,  took  his  horse  away  from 
him  and  sent  one  of  my  command  forward  with  instructions  to 
find  Gen.  Slocum  if  possible,  or  otherwise  Gen.  Meade,  and 
report  to  him  the  situation  ; and  if  he  could  find  neither  Slocum 
nor  Meade  to  try  to  inform  some  other  corps  commander.  I 
formed  the  battalion  in  line  and  kept  them  there  for  some 
hours.  The  night  became  very  dark.  After  a time  we  heard 
the  tread  of  marching  columns  coming  down  the  pike  from  the 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION  ENGAGED. 


525 


front.  They  proved  to  be  our  own  Twelfth  army  corps.  After 
going  some  distance  beyond  us  they  halted  and  fronted,  which 
brought  their  backs  to  us.  I heard  the  command  given,  "For- 
ward in  line,”  and  they  went  up  the  hill  through  the  underbrush. 
In  less  than  five  minutes  firing  began.  It  was  sharp  and  for  a 
few  minutes  really  heavy,  and  then  died  out.  In  the  gray  of 
the  early  morning  following  (July  3d),  the  firing  broke  out 
again  and  was  very  heavy  perhaps  for  ten  minutes.  Then  Con- 
federate prisoners  began  to  come  down  through  the  underbrush 
with  escorts  and  were  turned  over  to  me.  A good  many  of 
them  were  sent  in,  both  officers  and  men.  I was  curious  to 
know  the  facts  in  regard  to  the  occupation  of  the  breastworks, 
and  I conversed  with  several  of  the  Confederate  officers  who 
talked  very  freely.  Their  statement  was  substantially  that  two 
brigades  of  Ewell’s  corps,  covering  the  advance  of  his  whole 
force,  had  struck  our  picket  line  out  some  miles,  that  they  had 
driven  them  in  front  of  them  until  they  came  to  the  breast- 
works, and  had  driven  them  through  the  breastworks  which 
were  then  unoccupied.  The  Confederate  officers  stated  that 
upon  occupying  the  breastworks  their  command  came  to  a halt ; 
that  then  the  two  brigade  commanders  conferred ; one  insisted 
upon  pushing  down  the  hill  and  attacking  whatever  they  found, 
but  the  other  refused  to  do  so,  saying  that  they  were  now  in 
the  lines  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  and  in  a position  which 
they  ought  to  hold  ; that  if  they  went  down  the  hill  they  would 
fall  upon  a force  which  would  probably  annihilate  them  in  a 
few  minutes.  This  view  prevailed  ; they  sent  couriers  back  to 
Ewell  to  advise  him  of  the  situation  and  waited  for  his  arrival. 
They  said  that  in  the  night  our  people  attacked  them  and  there 
was  some  fighting,  but  not  much  because  it  was  so  dark  they 
could  not  see  each  other  and  they  were  all  mixed  up,  but  in 
the  morning  the  Twelfth  army  corps  cleaned  them  out  in  a few 
minutes.  Some  of  the  Confederate  officers  told  me  that  they 
were  so  mixed  up  in  the  melee  the  night  before  that  when  they 
woke  up  in  the  morning  they  found  themselves  lying  amongst 
our  soldiers.  They  also  told  me  that  while  lying  in  the  breast- 
works they  could  hear  our  teams  going  up  and  down  the  pike 
and  the  drivers  talking  to  their  horses  and  cracking  their  whips. 


526 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


They  said  that  an  apparent  indifference  to  their  presence  in  the 
breastworks  convinced  them  that  there  was  a very  strong  force 
there  to  take  care  of  them.” 

Sergeant  Edward  P.  M.  Bragdon  gives  the  following  account 
of  the  part  taken  by  a hospital  detail  after  the  battle  was  over  : — 

“ On  the  morning  of  July  4th  I reported  with  thirty-eight  men,  all  glad 
for  a change,  at  the  field  hospital  of  the  Twelfth  corps,  Surgeon  H.  Ernest 
Goodman,  28th  Penn.,  in  charge.  He  referred  us  to  Maj.  (name  forgotten) 
who  showed  us  where  to  pitch  our  tents,  ordered  roll-call  twice  a day,  and 
a daily  report  in  writing.  Dr.  Goodman’s  quarters  were  in  a stone  house(a). 
Tents  had  been  pitched  for  the  wounded,  and  the  big  barn  was  also  crowded. 
Even  the  basement  of  the  barn  was  packed  with  Confederate  wounded.  In 
the  field  adjoining  many  stragglers  had  pitched  their  tents.  We  were  ordered 
to  visit  all  of  these,  get  their  names,  company  and  regiment,  have  them  strike 
tents,  and  pitch  them  again  on  a line  parallel  with  ours,  and  to  be  under  my 
orders.  There  were  38  of  these  stragglers,  mostly  westerners;  they  were 
sent  to  their  regiments  before  a fortnight.  At  Dr.  Goodman’s  suggestion 
we  fenced  in  a plat  for  a cemetery  in  the  field  east  of  the  house;  one-half  was 
for  the  Blue,  and  the  other  for  the  Gray.  I divided  our  men  into  squads: 
one  for  burying  the  dead,  another  to  guard  the  wagons,  cattle  and  quarters, 
a third  to  provide  head-boards  and  to  letter  them.  Josiah  Smith  and  Eph- 
raim C.  Benson  were  especially  apt  in  cutting  the  names  of  the  dead  upon 
wooden  head-boards  improvised  from  cracker  boxes. 

“In  about  ten  days  I got  a chance  to  stroll  around  the  field  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Round  Top.  In  going  there  I visited  a small  barn  (b)  where  a hos- 
pital flag  was  flying.  In  the  barn  lay  two  dead  Confederates.  I heard  the 
cry  of  ‘Water!’  ‘Water!’  ‘Give  us  water!’  ‘Hurry!  we  are  dying  for 
water!  ’ I looked  around,  and  crouching  in  corners,  leaning  against  the 
posts  of  the  barn,  or  lying  in  the  ground-mow  were  Confederate  soldiers,  all 
wounded,  and  the  most  of  them  had  lost  a leg  or  arm.  I found  a canteen 
and  hurried  to  the  spring.  How  those  poor  fellows  did  bless  me!  There 
were  thirteen  living  men.  In  another  part,  in  the  calf  pen,  was  a darkey 
whose  leg  was  gone  nearly  to  the  body.  He  had  plainly  suffered  a great 
deal  and  his  skin  was  changed  to  “old  gold ” color,  but  he  was  game  to  the 
last  and  was  full  of  gratitude  to  me. 

“After  thus  ‘standing  the  drinks  for  the  crowd’  I inquired  how  they 
came  there.  They  said  that  they  were  wounded  and  taken  prisoners  the 
second  day,  and  were  brought  to  this  barn  where  their  wounds  had  been 
dressed.  They  could  not  tell  what  command  had  captured  them,  but  sug- 
gested that  whoever  they  were  they  were  ordered  away  in  a hurry,  and  the 
prisoners  had  thus  been  left  to  no  one  in  particular.  They  said  that  the 
woman  of  the  house  had  brought  them  bread  every  two  or  three  days,  and 
that  one  of  their  own  comrades  had  at  first  been  able  to  get  to  the  spring  for 
them,  but  for  a number  of  days  the  woman  had  not  been  seen  and  their  com- 
rade had  failed  to  get  water  for  them,  so  that  they  were  all  near  the  ragged 
edge  of  despair  when  I found  them.  I made  them  as  comfortable  as  I could 

(a)  Marked  Geo.  Bushman  on  the  U.  S.  Engineer’s  map. 

(b)  Apparently  the  house  marked  J.  Eckenrode  on  the  maps. 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION  ENGAGED. 


527 


and  returned  immediately  to  Dr.  Goodman  with  the  news.  It  was  at  length 
arranged  that  I should  detail  a party  of  my  men  to  bury  the  dead,  and  that 
the  living  should  be  brought  over  to  our  hospital  in  our  ambulances.  We 
had  it  all  done  before  we  slept,  and  all  of  us  who  engaged  in  the  task  felt 
glad  that  we  had  done  it.  Several  of  the  worst  cases  died  during  the  night 
or  the  next  day,  and  I do  not  know  if  any  lived  to  be  exchanged.  * * * 

“ After  this  the  weather  grew  even  more  hot  and  oppressive.  Deaths 
among  the  severely  wounded  increased  in  numbers  and  we  were  kept  busy 
day  and  night.  In  the  course  of  time  the  great  general  hospital  was  ready 
northeast  of  the  town,  and  we  put  aboard  the  ambulances  all  who  could  be 
thus  removed.  Then  came  the  tug  — or  rather  the  lug  — of  war.  The 
wounded  who  could  not  bear  the  jolting  in  the  ambulances  had  to  be  car- 
ried upon  stretchers  to  the  general  hospital  nearly  three  miles  away.  Nearly 
all  of  our  detail  were  put  to  this  task.  Two  round  trips  daily  was  all  that 
any  one  could  make,  and  even  this  was  exceedingly  trying  work.  In  spite 
of  all  our  efforts  we  could  not  help  making  a jar  or  jolt  or  a stumble  occa- 
sionally, and  then  the  poor  wounded  fellows  would  cry  out  with  pain. 

“One  day  a party  from  another  field-hospital  passed  near  our  camp, 
the  stretcher  bearers  so  ‘ blown  ’ that  they  dropped  their  burden  to  rest. 
We  went  up  to  them  and  found  it  was  Adjutant  Roberts  of  the  Seventeenth 
Maine,  who  had  the  summer  before  been  promoted  from  company  B of  our 
old  Tenth  Maine;  he  asked  if  I could  detail  a relief  to  assist  his  weary  men, 
but  before  I could  answer  a squad  of  us  volunteered  and  picked  up  and  went 
off  with  the  Adjutant. 

“In  about  four  weeks  all  our  work  was  done  and  the  Twelfth  corps 
hospital  was  no  more.  Dr.  Goodman  praised  us  highly  for  our  good  behav- 
ior and  for  doing  all  our  duties  so  well,  and  told  us  that  he  should  send  us 
to  ‘ the  front  ’ in  two  days.  * * * 

“*  * * We  broke  camp  and  went  by  rail  to  Baltimore,  Washington, 
and  Rappahannock  Station,  and  marched  to  Kelly’s  Ford.” 

It  should  be  noted  in  closing  that  though  nearly  all  of  the 
battalion  were  at  times  under  artillery  tire  none  were  injured  ; 
and  the  answers  to  the  question  whether  any  one  tired  a musket 
during  the  battle  make  it  sure  they  did  not.  Furthermore,  as 
they  had  no  colors  there  has  never  arisen  the  question  whether 
"Gettysburg”  should  be  inscribed  upon  them.  Finally,  it  is 
only  fair  to  "the  battalion”  boys  for  me,  as  one  of  "the  regi- 
ment,” who  was  discharged  and  served  again  with  them  in  the 
Twenty-ninth  Maine,  to  say  that  they  never  claimed  more  than 
they  performed  at  Gettysburg  or  anywhere  else.  They  simply 
did  what  they  were  ordered  to  do,  and  did  it  so  promptly  and 
well  that  Gen.  Slocum  gave  them  a most  hearty  and  flattering 
" good-bye  ” when  the  time  came  for  him  to  take  final  leave 
of  them. 


528 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


PARTICIPANTS. 


FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Acting  Field  Officer,  Captain  John  D.  Beardsley  of  company  D. 
Acting  Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  Charles  F.  King,  company  D. 
Assistant  Surgeon,  Horatio  N.  Howard,  Abbot. 

Sergeant-Major,  Samuel  Hanson,  Biddeford. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Thomas  S.  Bugbee,  Washburn. 

Hospital  Steward,  John  McLaren,  English  army. 

Company  A. 

Captain,  John  Q.  Adams,  Saco,  Provost  Marshal  of  corps. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edwin  W.  Fowler,  Saco,  commanding  company. 
Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  E.  Pierce,  Saco. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  James  F.  Tarr,  Biddeford, 

Horace  C.  Berry,  Woodstock,  George  P.  Fernald,  Saco, 

Edward  P.  M.  Bragdon,  Biddeford,  John  Reardon,  Biddeford. 


Stephen  H.  Dyer,  Biddeford, 
William  Hopping,  Biddeford, 
James  Jennings,  Biddeford. 


CORPORALS. 

Thaddeus  Cross,  Saco, 
John  Collum,  Jr.,  Saco, 


Bailey,  George  H.,  Bridgton, 
Berwin,  Joseph,  Eastport, 

Chappell,  Joseph  H.,  Saco, 

Coburn,  Charles  F.,  Weld, 

Cole,  Henry  F.,  Woodstock, 
Fletcher,  Sydney  W.,  Biddeford, 
Gould,  Joseph,  Saco, 

Hodsdon,  Isaac  W. , Byron, 

Jepson,  Leonard,  Lewiston, 

Jones,  Gustavus  W.,  Weld, 

Kenney,  Dennis,  Biddeford, 

Lee,  Edward,  Magaguadavic,  N.  B., 


PRIVATES. 

Benson,  Ephraim  C.,  Peru, 

Burnell,  Frank  (28th  N.  Y. ),  Lockport, 
Cobb,  Edwin  A.,  Bridgton, 

Cole,  Edwin,  Saco, 

Donihue,  George  L.,  Freeport, 
Gaffeny,  John  (28th  N.  Y. ),  Lockport, 
Guiney,  James,  Lewiston, 

Irving,  Robert  (28th  N.  Y. ),  Lockport, 
Jones,  Albert  N.,  Weld, 

Keighley,  William,  Biddeford, 
Larrabee,  Emery  E.,  Lewiston, 
Leighton,  Ivan,  Biddeford, 

Littlehale,  Alanson  M.,  Newry, 


Leighton,  Moses,  Saco, 

McDougall,  Archibald, Prince  Edw. Is.,  Mclntire,  George  E.,  Dayton, 
McLaughlin,  Tyler  H.,  Weld,  Moore,  Moses  T.,  Biddeford, 

Rawson,  Charles  C.,  Whitney ville,  Roberts,  Charles  F.,  Biddeford, 
Rowe,  Daniel  M.,  Saco,  Staples,  James,  Jr.,  Biddeford, 

Taylor,  Leonard  B.  ( 28th  N.  Y. ) — N.Y.  Thurston,  James  H.,  Danville, 

Towle,  Samuel  T.,  Rockland,  Young, OliverB.  (28thN.Y. ), Lockport. 

On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Musician  Patrick  Hickey, 
Jr.,  Biddeford,  Drummer.  Wagoner  Henry  H.  Shapleigh,  Lebanon,  wagon 
train.  Corporal  Joseph  Littlefield,  Kennebunk,  and  Privates  William  S. 
Davis,  Biddeford,  William  T.  Dodge,  Westbrook,  Daniel  Hanson,  Saco, 
George  W.  Hatch,  Kennebunk,  and  Emery  A.  Holman,  New  Gloucester, 
cattle  guard.  Privates:  Elbridge  G.  Berry,  Carthage,  James  A.  Russell, 
Weld,  and  Willard  M.  Russell,  Weld,  amb.  train  ; Edward  Gillis,  Miramichi, 
N.  B.,  orderly  for  Gen.  Williams;  David  B.  Smith,  Weld,  batt’y  F,  4th  U. 


TENTH  MAINE  BATTALION  PARTICIPANTS. 


529 


S.  ; Stephen  E.  Welch,  Sanford,  corps  blacksmith  ; Phineas  C.  Witham, 
Weld,  orderly  and  assis’t  of  Surg.  Howard  ; Jeremiah  Donovan,  Biddeford, 
in  arrest. 

Company  B. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  H.  Haskell,  Pownal,  commanding  company. 

SERGEANTS. 

First  Sergeant,  Wilbur  W.  McKenney,  Saco, 

Oliver  B.  Jones,  Portland,  Jeremiah  P.  W.  Roach,  Windham, 

Albert  P.  Smith,  New  Gloucester,  Edward  A.  Burnell,  Portland. 

CORPORALS. 

John  F.  Wells,  Portland,  Stillman  Wilson,  Freeport, 

Thomas  Foster,  Bristol,  Albert  F.  Colley,  Gray, 

Charles  Allen,  Biddeford,  Willard  W.  Judkins,  Carthage. 

MUSICIANS. 

Charles  A.  Hersey,  South  Paris,  Henry  A.  Hersey,  South  Paris. 


PRIVATES. 

Otisfield,  Ballard,  Samuel  F.,  Fryeburg, 
Brett,  John  F.,  Portland, 

Emerson,  Stillman  H.,  Biddeford, 
Floyd,  Osgood  F.,  Porter, 

Fox,  George  H.,  Dexter, 
Goodridge,  Lewis  E.,  Naples,  Greenleaf,  Solomon,  Norway, 

Hall,AlansonA.(28thN.Y. ),Lockport,  Howard,  Simeon,  Westbrook, 


Andrews,  William  Wallace, 
Bodge,  William,  Windham, 
Charles,  Daniel  E.,  Lovell, 
Flanders,  Daniel,  Portland, 
Foss,  David  C.,  Portland, 


Irish,  Benjamin  R.,  Sumner, 
Judkins,  Orville,  Weld, 

Marriner,  Greenleaf  T.,  Westbrook, 
Moulton,  Mathias,  Portland, 

Nutting,  James,  Bethel, 

Paine,  Frank  O.,  Windham, 


Judkins,  Eastman,  Carthage, 

Kidder,  Wm.  (28th  N.  Y. ),  Lockport, 
Mitchell,  Arthur  S.,  Carthage, 

Neal,  Ansel,  Portland, 

O’Hara,  William,  Portland, 

Plant,  Charles  F.,  New  Gloucester, 


Putnam,  John  A.,  Franklin  Plantation,  Ripley,  George  K.,  Paris, 


Sanborn,  Dudley  F.,  Lewiston, 
Smith,  Louville,  New  Gloucester, 
Stanley,  William  S.,  Porter, 
Taber,  George  W.,  Vassalboro, 
Usher,  Joshua  L.,  Sebago, 
Vickery,  Isaiah  H.,  Danville, 
Wilkinson,  John  W.,  Portland, 


Sargent,  George  W.,  Oxford, 

Snow,  Israel  T.,  Jackson, 

Stinchfield,  Samuel  E.,  New  Glo’ster, 
Thurston,  George  H.,  Portland, 
Verrill,  Edward  P.,  Raymond, 
Wetherby,  William,  Naples, 

Wing,  Samuel  F.,  Rumford. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Privates:  Nathaniel  Cash, 
Naples,  Ezekiel  H.  Hanson,  Portland,  George  H.  Hoit,  Portland,  Storer  S. 
Knight,  Westbrook,  and  Edward  H.  Sawyer,  Portland,  cattle  guard;  George 
W.  Smith,  Scarborough,  wagon  train. 


Note.  According  to  the  monthly  return  of  June  30th  there  should  he  only 
sixty-one  names  present  in  Co.  B,  hut  I am  unable  after  a great  deal  of  study  and 
correspondence  with  the  survivors  to  learn  which  man,  if  any  of  the  above,  was 
absent.  J.  M.  G. 

Company  D. 

Captain,  John  D.  Beardsley,  Grand  Falls,  N.  B.,  commanding  battalion. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  F.  King,  Portland,  acting  Quartermaster. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Chandler  A.  Libby,  Limestone  PL, commanding  company. 


530 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


SERGEANTS. 

istSerg.,  Henry  H.  Kallock,  Ashland,  George  MacDonald,  Ashland, 
James  Gillespie,  Fort  Kent,  Charles  H.  Anderson,  Smyrna. 

CORPORALS. 

Maurice  Hayes,  Houlton,  Charles  H.  Corson,  Bangor, 

Oliver  B.  Coy,  Welchville,  Howard  Taggart,  Portage  Lake, 

Edward  L.  Prindall,  Portland. 

Wagoner:  Charles  B.  Canney,  Bangor. 


Boody,  Leonard  G.,  Portland, 
Buck,  Daniel  F.,  Harrison, 
Caman,  Aug.  W.  (28th  N.  Y. ) — , 
Day,  Vinal  J.,  Ashland, 

Dow,  Alexander,  Ashland, 
Ferrell,  William  E.,  Portland, 
Green,  Charles  A.,  Portland, 
Libby,  Elias  T.,  Ashland, 
McGoverin,  Dennis,  Portland, 
McGowan,  Michael,  Portland, 
McNeil,  Nelson,  Fort  Fairfield, 
Milligan,  Wallace,  Castle  Hill, 
Montreuil,  Firman,  Ashland, 
O’Connor,  John  W.,  Fort  Kent, 

Read,  John,  (28th  N.  Y. ), , 

Sears,  Hiram,  Fort  Kent, 
Shorey,  Joshua  R.,  Enfield, 
Smith,  Jefferson,  Ashland, 
Spring,  William  G.  J.,  Portland, 
Stinson,  James,  English  army, 
Twist,  James,  Mapleton, 
Wallace,  William,  Ashland, 
Wescott,  John,  Masardis, 


PRIVATES. 

Brady,  Wm.  H.  (28th  N.  Y. ),  Batavia, 
Bucknam,  Amos,  Portland, 

, N.  Y.  Casey,  William,  Castle  Hill, 

Doody,  John  H.,  Portland, 

Duran,  Benjamin,  Westbrook, 
Giberson,  Simon,  Sarsfield  Plantation, 
Johnson,  Freeman  W.,  Limestone  PL, 
Manderville,  Marcus  A.  (28th  N.  Y. ), 
Newfane,  N.  Y. 

McKenney,  Daniel  B.,  Lincoln, 

Miller,  John,  Fort  Kent, 

Moore,  Edward  K.,  Portland, 

Nearst,  Augustus  ( 28thN.  Y. ) Lockport, 
Randall,  James  L.,  Castle  Hill, 

N.  Y.  Roche,Wm.(28thN.Y.)Lockport,N.Y. 
Sheridan,  James,  Portland, 

Simpson,  Josiah,  Portland, 

Souci,  Jerry,  Canada  East, 

Stannorth,  John  A.,  Portland, 

Turner,  John  F.,  Portland, 

Wait,  Thomas,  Fort  Kent, 

Ward,  David,  Fort  Kent, 

White,  John,  Fort  Kent. 


On  Special  Duty  or  Detached  Service:  Sergeant  Joseph  G.  Brown, 
Portage  Lake,  in  charge  of  cattle  guard.  Privates:  Amos  Kelley,  Lyndon, 
William  T.  Keyes,  Portland,  Joseph  W.  Small,  Upton,  and  Josiah  H.  Smith, 
Biddeford,  cattle  guard;  Adin  Ballou,  Portland,  and  Leonard  G.  Jordan, 
Portland,  clerks  corps  h’dqrs;  Joseph  T.  Chapman,  Bethel,  drummer;  Martin 
Gaitley,  Portland,  and  Daniel  W.  Stackpole,  Portland,  wagoners;  Charles 
Kehoe,  Portland,  orderly  of  Gen.  Slocum;  Peter  Michaud,  Can.  East,  batt’y 
F,  4th  U.  S. ; Alonzo  Nutter,  Freeport,  and  Joseph  Smith,  Fort  Kent,  batt’y 
M,  1st  N.  Y.  Artillery. 

Note.  The  battalion  had  no  field  officers.  The  men  with  “28th  N.  Y.” 
against  their  names  were  transferred  to  the  Tenth  batt’n  from  the  28th  N.  Y. 
regiment,  which  had  been  brigaded  with  the  Tenth  Maine  and  was  mustered 
out  a few  weeks  after  the  latter. 


TENTH  MAINE  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


531 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

BY  MAJOR  JOHN  MEAD  GOULD 
LATE  OF  l-10-29th  MAINE  REGIMENT. 

The  Tenth  Maine  regiment  was  the  reorganization  of  the 
First  Maine,  a three-months’  regiment.  It  was  mustered  into 
U.  S.  service  October  4 and  5,  1861,  to  serve  the  remainder 
of  two  years’  service  due  from  the  First  Maine  members,  i.  e., 
till  May  3,  1863. 

The  First  Maine  was  formed  from  militia  companies  of 
which  eight  existed  previous  to  the  civil  war,  namely  : Portland 
Light  Infantry,  Mechanic  Blues,  Light  Guard,  Rifle  Corps  and 
Rifle  Guard,  Lewiston  Light  Infantry,  Norway  Light  Infantry, 
and  Auburn  Artillery.  The  two  other  companies  were  raised 
at  Portland  and  Lewiston. 

The  Tenth  regiment  was  composed  largely  of  members  of 
these  companies  with  recruits  from  the  western  part  of  the  state, 
nearly  all  from  the  counties  of  Cumberland,  Androscoggin, 
York  and  Oxford,  excepting  company  D,  which  originally  was 
from  Aroostook  County. 

The  following  was  the  original  organization  of  the  Tenth 
Maine  : — 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

Colonel,  George  L.  Beal,  Norway. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  James  S.  Fillebrown,  Auburn. 

Major,  Charles  Walker,  Portland. 

Adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Elijah  M.  Shaw,  Lewiston. 

Quartermaster,  First  Lieutenant  William  S.  Dodge,  Westbrook. 

Surgeon,  Daniel  O.  Perry,  Portland. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Josiah  F.  Day,  Jr.,  Portland. 

Chaplain,  George  Knox,  Brunswick. 

Sergeant-Major,  John  M.  Gould,  Portland. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant,  Charles  F.  King,  Portland. 

Commissary-Sergeant,  Charles  Thompson,  Norway. 

Drum-Major,  William  Allen,  Gray. 

Fife-Major,  Alpheus  L.  Greene,  Portland. 

Hospital  Steward,  George  J.  Northrop,  Portland. 

Regimental  Band  Leader,  Daniel  H.  Chandler,  Portland. 

COMPANY  OFFICERS. 

Co.  A.  Captain,  John  Q.  Adams,  Saco. 

First  Lieutenant,  Ephraim  M.  Littlefield,  Saco. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  E.  Pierce,  Saco. 


532  MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 

Co.  B.  Captain,  James  M.  Black,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  W.  Roberts,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Alfred  L.  Turner,  Portland. 

Co.  C.  Captain,  William  P.  Jordan,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  M.  Redlon,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  F.  Whitney,  Windham. 

Co.  D.  Captain,  George  W.  West,  Somerville,  Mass. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  D.  Beardsley,  Grand  Falls,  N.  B. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  M.  Binney,  Somerville,  Mass. 

Co.  E.  Captain,  Albert  H.  Estes,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Cyrus  Latham,  Portland. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Andrew  C.  Cloudman,  Portland. 

Co.  F.  Captain,  William  Knowlton,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Edward  S.  Butler,  Lewiston. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Abel  G.  Rankin,  Lewiston. 

Co.  G.  Captain,  Henry  Rust,  Jr.,  Norway. 

First  Lieutenant,  Jonathan  Blake,  Norway. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  W.  Whitmarsh,  Norway. 

Co.  H.  Captain,  Charles  S.  Emerson,  Auburn. 

First  Lieutenant,  James  C.  Folsom,  Auburn. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Phineas  W.  Dill,  Auburn. 

Co.  I.  Captain,  Nehemiah  T.  Furbish,  Portland. 

First  Lieutenant,  Hebron  Mayhew,  Westbrook. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  T.  Simpson,  Portland. 

Co.  K.  Captain,  George  H.  Nye,  Lewiston. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  F.  Witherell,  Monmouth. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Fayette  Bicknell,  Oxford. 

Seven  months  were  spent  in  a continuous  round  of  guard- 
duty,  drill,  parade,  and  attention  to  the  nicer  details  of  disci- 
pline. For  a number  of  months  the  companies  changed  station 
every  fortnight,  shifting  to  and  from  various  points  on  the 
B.  & O.  Railroad,  between  Baltimore  and  Harper’s  Ferry  and 
Martinsburg,  Va.,  and  along  the  Washington  branch  of  that 
road.  Late  in  March,  1862,  the  regimental  headquarters  were 
at  Harper’s  Ferry  and  the  companies  all  in  Virginia.  Early  in 
May  headquarters  were  in  Winchester,  Va.,  when  Stonewall 
Jackson  made  his  famous  descent  upon  the  remnants  of  Gen. 
Banks’  corps  and  drove  all  out  of  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  This 
first  experience  of  the  regiment  in  battle,  May  25,  1862,  was 
made  more  unpleasant  from  the  failure  of  Gen.  Banks  to  get 
orders  to  Col.  Beal,  who  was  left  with  his  regiment  standing 
in  the  streets  of  Winchester  while  the  enemy  nearly  surrounded 
the  city.  The  regiment  got  out  with  but  small  loss  in  killed 
and  wounded  ; but  many  of  the  sentries  and  the  sick  were  cut 


TENTH  MAINE  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


533 


off  and  made  prisoners.  The  evening  previous  companies  C 
and  I,  under  Capt.  Wm.  P.  Jordan,  had  successfully  persuaded 
the  Confederate  General  Ewell,  who  was  advancing  upon  Win- 
chester, that  it  was  time  to  halt  for  the  night.  This  evening 
and  night  service  was  really  a battle  on  a small  scale.  It  is 
reckoned  in  the  regiment  as  one  of  its  best  services. 

The  march  of  company  B (Portland  Mechanic  Blues),  on 
the  24th  and  25th,  is  also  noteworthy  in  that  they  covered  55 
to  57  miles  in  24  hours  or  less.  The  regiment  lost  in  the  two 
days  3 killed,  12  wounded,  and  65  others  taken  prisoners. 

In  June  the  regiment,  now  a part  of  Crawford’s  brigade, 
returned  to  Virginia  with  Banks’ corps,  and  after  several  recon- 
naissances in  various  parts  of  the  valley  was  sent  to  Culpeper 
C.  H.  Gen.  John  Pope  was  now  given  command  of  the  army, 
and  attempted  to  check  the  advance  of  Lee. 

At  Cedar  Mountain,  eight  miles  south  of  Culpeper  C.  H., 
August  9th,  1862,  the  Tenth  had  its  first  severe  battle. 
Here  Gen.  Banks  reversed  the  error  of  May  by  sending  the 
Tenth  to  combat  single-handed  a large  part  of  the  army  under 
Stonewall  Jackson.  After  a short  and  murderous  action  the 
regiment  was  compelled  to  retreat,  having  lost  39  killed  or 
mortally  wounded,  and  134  severely  wounded,  or  37.5  per  cent 
of  the  number  engaged. 

Then  followed  Pope’s  retreat  and  the  Second  Bull  Bun, 
during  which,  however,  Banks’  corps  was  not  engaged  though 
the  Tenth  lost  ten  of  its  number  by  capture,  mostly  the  sick 
in  Culpeper  hospital. 

The  Maryland  campaign  followed  ; the  Tenth  having  received 
about  a hundred  recruits  took  a prominent  part  in  the  battle  of 
Antietam,  September  17,  1862,  checking  the  advance  of  Hood’s 
veterans  in  the  famous  EastWoods.  Here  also  at  considerable 
disadvantage  of  position  the  Tenth  had  a bloody  and  stubborn 
fight  in  which  31  were  killed  and  mortally  wounded,  and  forty 
were  seriously  wounded,  or  one-fourth  the  number  engaged. 
The  ratio  between  the  killed  and  wounded  in  this  engagement 
is  remarkable. 

The  important  ford  over  the  Potomac  at  Berlin,  Md.,  was 
guarded  by  the  regiment  for  the  next  three  months,  with  com- 


534 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


panies  stationed  also  at  other  fords  and  important  contiguous 
points.  The  Twelfth  corps  did  not  follow  McClellan  into  Vir- 
ginia, but  was  kept  in  Maryland  until  December,  when  positions 
were  taken  near  Fairfax  Station ; from  thence,  at  the  time  of 
the  "mud  march”  (Jan.  19-23,  1863),  the  corps  moved  for- 
ward to  Stafford  C.  Id.,  where  the  Tenth  Maine  remained  till 
their  term  expired,  and  April  27th  they  were  ordered  home. 

The  friends  of  the  regiment  claim  that  the  men  were  of  a 
superior  grade  of  intelligence  ; and  that  they  attained  an  excel- 
lence in  drill  and  knowledge  of  guard-duty  far  above  the  average 
of  volunteer  regiments. 

At  the  time  of  muster-out  it  had  lost  more  men  killed  and 
died  of  wounds  (73)  than  any  other  Maine  regiment  ; while 
the  deaths  by  disease,  etc.,  had  been  fewer  than  is  usual  (52, 
including  6 starved  to  death  in  rebel  prisons  and  4 accidental). 

So  far  as  is  known  the  Tenth  Maine  drum  corps  was  the 
largest  and  best  drilled  of  all  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 

But  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Tenth,  mustered-out  in  May, 
began  efforts  for  reorganizing  under  special  authority  in  July, 
enlisting  as  " Beal’s  Veterans.”  Four  companies  reporting  in 
September,  were  mustered  November  13th ; others  followed, 
and  the  last  company  was  mustered-in  December  17,  1863,  for 
three  years,  the  regiment  becoming  the  29th  Maine,  Colonel 
Beal  in  command.  Leaving  Maine  in  February,  1864,  they 
took  the  field  in  Louisiana,  were  assigned  to  the  Nineteenth 
corps,  and  went  on  the  Red  River  expedition,  meeting  the 
enemy  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  Pleasant  Hill  and  Cane  River 
Crossing,  the  loss  aggregating  27  wounded  (3  mortally). 

The  Tenth  battalion  companies  joined  the  regiment  in  May. 
The  corps  was  brought  to  Virginia  and  was  in  Sheridan’s  Shen- 
andoah Valley  campaign  of  1864.  Colonel  Beal  had  the  brigade 
after  April  19th,  and  Major  Knowlton  commanded  the  regiment 
at  Opequon  Creek,  where  he  was  mortally  wounded,  when  the 
command  passed  to  Captain  Turner,  senior  officer  present. 
Fisher’s  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek  followed.  In  the  last  battle 
Major  Nye  commanded  the  regiment  in  the  morning,  until 
wounded,  succeeded  by  Captain  Whitmarsh,  and  later  in  the 
day  by  Captain  Turner.  The  loss  here  was  127  killed  and 
wounded,  — 34  per  cent  of  those  engaged. 

The  Twenty-ninth  was  mustered-out  June  21,  1866. 


ROSTER  OF  THE  TENTH  MAINE. 


535 


ROSTER. 

The  following  information  relating  to  officers  of  the  Tenth 
Maine  regiment  is  obtained  from  the  Volunteer  Army  Register, 
published  by  the  War  Department  August  31,  1865,  and  other 
reliable  sources  : — 

Officers  at  Muster-out  May  7-8,  1863. 

Colonel:  George  L.  Beal,  Oct.  3,  1861;  Col.  29th  Maine,  Dec.  17, 
1863, — brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Vols.,  Aug.  22,  1864;  Brig. -Gen.  Vols.  Nov.  13, 
1864;  brevet  Maj.-Gen.  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865. 

Lieutenant-Colonel:  James  S.  Fillebrown,  Oct.  4,  1861. 

Major:  Charles  S.  Emerson,  Mar.  17,  1863;  Lieut.-Col.  29th  Maine, 
Nov.  30,  1863. 

Quartermaster:  1st  Lieut.  Charles  Thompson,  Sept.  12,  1862;  Q.  M. 
29th  Maine,  Sept.  16,  1863. 

Captains:  John  Q.  Adams,  Oct.  4,  1861,  tr.  to  10th  batt’n  and  29th 
Maine;  Alfred  L.  Turner,  Oct.  25,  1862, — Captain  29th  Maine;  William  P. 
Jordan,  Oct.  5,  1861, — Captain  29th  Maine,  brevet  Major,  Mar.  13,  1865;  John 
D.  Beardsley,  Oct.  15,  1862,  tr.  to  10th  batt’n  and  29th  Maine, — Major  and 
Lieut.-Col.  109th  U.  S.  C.  T.,  Sept.,  1864;  Herbert  R.  Sargent,  Aug.  9,  1862, 
— Capt.  32d  Maine,  Mar.  23,  1864,  tr.  to  31st  Maine,  Dec.  12,  1864;  William 
Knowlton,  Oct.  4,  1861, — Capt.  and  Maj.  29th  Maine,  killed  at  Opequon, 
Sept.  20,  1864;  Jonathan  Blake,  Oct.  21,  1861;  Elijah  M.  Shaw,  Mar.  26, 
1863;  Hebron  Mayhew,  Sept.  17,  1862;  George  H.  Nye,  Oct.  4,  1861, — Capt., 
Maj.  and  Col.  29th  Maine,  brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Vols.,  Oct.  28,  1865,  brevet 
Maj.-Gen.  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants:  Edwin  W.  Fowler,  May  27,  1862,  tr.  to  10th  batt’n 
and  29th  Maine;  Benjamin  F.  Whitney,  Oct.  25,  1862;  Benjamin  M.  Redlon, 
Oct.  5,  1861, — Capt.  29th  Maine,  brevet  Major  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  Charles 
F.  King,  Jan.  10,  1863, — tr.  to  10th  batt’n  and  29th  Maine,  Capt.  Maine  Coast 
Guards,  Jan.  6,  1865;  John  M.  Gould,  Aug.  9,  1862,  acting  Adjt., — Adjt.  29th 
Maine,  and  Major  Dec.  20,  1864;  Edward  S.  Butler,  Oct.  4,  1861, — Capt. 
29th  Maine,  Sept.  16,  1864;  William  W.  Whitmarsh,  Oct.  21,  1861, — 
Capt.  29th  Maine;  Granville  Blake,  Sept.  26,  1862, — Capt.  29th  Maine,  bre- 
vet Maj.  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  Albert  H.  Johnson,  Sept.  17,  1862;  Fayette 
Bicknell,  July  5,  1862. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Charles  E.  Pierce,  Oct.  4,  1861, — tr.  to  10th 
batt’n  and  29th  Maine;  Marcus  Delano,  Mar.  2,  1S63;  Chandler  A.  Libby, 
Mar.  2,  1863,  tr.  to  10th  batt’n,  resigned  July  17,  1863;  Henry  F.  Smith,  Dec. 
18,  1862;  Charles  H.  Haskell,  Apr.  27,  1863,- — tr.  to  10th  batt’n  and  to  29th 
Maine;  Henry  R.  Millett,  Oct.  21,  1861, — Capt.,  Nov.  6,  1864,  29th  Maine; 
Horace  Wright,  Oct.  26,  1862;  Charles  C.  Graham,  Sept.  17,  1862,' — 1st  Lieut. 
29th  Maine,  brevet  Captain  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865;  Albert  E.  Kingsley,  June 
26,  1862, — Capt.,  Oct.  18,  1864,  29th  Maine. 

Surgeon:  Josiah  F.  Day,  Jr.,  Oct.  22,  1862, — Surgeon  29th  Maine  with 
same  rank,  brevet  Lieut.-Col.  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865.  Assistant  Surgeon: 
Horatio  N.  Howard,  Sept.  5,  1862,— tr.  to  10th  batt’n  and  29th  Maine,  Sur- 
geon 30th  Maine,  May  16,  1865. 


536 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Chaplain:  George  Knox,  Oct.  4,  1861, — Chaplain  29th  Maine,  Oct.  18, 
1864,  accidentally  killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  31,  1864. 

(The  dates  given  above  refer  to  rank  or  commission;  those  hereafter 
given  refer  to  the  date  of  event. ) 

Died. 

Captains:  Andrew  C.  Cloudman,  killed  at  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain, 
Aug.  9,  1862;  Nehemiah  T.  Furbish,  killed  at  battle  of  Antietam,  Sept. 
17,  1862. 

First  Lieutenants:  James  C.  Folsom,  killed  at  battle  of  Cedar  Mount- 
ain, Aug.  9,  1862;  George  W.  True,  Sept.  20,  1862,  mortally  w’d  at  Antietam. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Albert  W.  Freeman,  Aug.  25,  1862,  mortally 
w’d  at  Cedar  Mountain;  William  Wade,  killed  at  battle  of  Antietam,  Sept. 

17,  1862;  Edward  Brackett,  Sept.  18,  1862,  mortally  w’d  at  Antietam;  Charles 
H.  Colley,  Sept.  20,  1862,  mortally  w’d  at  Cedar  Mountain;  Joseph  H.  Per- 
ley,  Jr.,  Dec.  18,  1862,  of  consumption. 

Surgeon:  Daniel  S.  Tracy  (not  mustered  for  want  of  opportunity),  died 
from  overwork  and  exposure,  about  Oct.,  1862;  name  noton  regimental  rolls. 
Promoted  and  Transferred  Out  of  Regiment. 

(Additional  to  those  entering  10th  battalion.) 

Captains:  Henry  Rust,  Jr.,  to  Lieut. -Col.  13th  Maine,  Oct.  14,  1861, 
Col.  13th  Maine,  May  18,  1862,  brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Vols.,  Mar.  13,  1865; 
George  W.  West,  to  Major  17th  Maine,  Aug.  18,  1862,  Col.  Oct.  22,  1863, 
brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Vols.,  Dec.  2,  1864. 

First  Lieutenant:  Charles  W.  Roberts,  to  Adjt.  17th  Maine,  Aug. 

18,  1862. 

Quartermaster:  1st  Lieut.  William  S.  Dodge  to  Captain  and  A.  C.  S. 
of  Vols.,  Nov.  22,  1862,  brevet  Major  Vols.,  July  14,  1865. 

Discharged. 

Second  Lieutenant:  Reuben  Alexander,  Dec.  8,  1862  (and  soon  after 
died),  dis.  from  wounds  at  Cedar  Mountain;  Band-master  Daniel  H.  Chan- 
dler, Sept.  8,  1862. 

Resigned. 

Major:  Charles  Walker,  Jan.  26,  1863. 

Captains:  Albert  H.  Estes,  Jan.  16,  1862;  Cyrus  Latham,  Mar.  28,  1862; 
James  M.  Black,  Oct.  25,  1862. 

First  Lieutenants:  Ephraim  M.  Littlefield,  May  26,  1862;  Abel  G. 
Rankin,  Apr.  4,  1863,  for  ill  health, — Captain  29th  Maine,  brevet  Major  Vols., 
June  25,  1866;  John  F.  Witherell,  June  26,  1862,  for  ill  health. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Benjamin  M.  Bradbury,  June  26, 1862;  Phineas 
W.  Dill,  Jan.  10,  1862;  John  T.  Simpson,  July  10,  1862. 

Surgeon:  Daniel  O.  Perry,  Oct.  21,  1862.  Assistant  Surgeon:  James 
Sawyer,  Jan.  30,  1863. 

Otherwise  Left  the  Service. 

Second  Lieutenant  Henry  Martin  Binney,  dis.  Dec.  30,  1862, — afterward 
1st  Lieut,  and  Captain  28th  Mass. 


HIGH  WATER  MARK. 


537 


HIGH  WATER  MARK  MONUMENT. 

This  monumental  structure  is  located  at  the  “ copse  of  trees,”  and  at  the 
point  in  the  Union  line  where  the  Confederate  assault  on  July  3d  fell  with 
greatest  weight  and  was  pushed  to  the  last  extremity  by  desperate  but  unsuc- 
cessful gallantry.  It  stands  on  the  west  side  of  the  macadamized,  battlefield 
road,  named  Hancock  Avenue,  on  the  southern  slope  of  Cemetery  Hill, 
about  the  centre  of  the  whole  Union  line  of  battle.  Upon  a bronze  tablet 
inserted  on  the  front  of  the  plinth  of  the  monument  is  the  following  legend: — 

COMMANDS  HONORED. 

IN  RECOGNITION  OF  THE  PATRIOTISM  AND  GALLANTRY  DISPLAYED 

BY  THEIR  RESPECTIVE  TROOPS  WHO  MET  OR  ASSISTED  TO  REPULSE 

LONGSTREET’S  ASSAULT 

THE  FOLLOWING  STATES  HAVE  CONTRIBUTED  TO  ERECT  THIS  TABLET. 

MAINE,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE,  VERMONT,  MASSACHUSETTS,  RHODE  ISLAND, 

CONNECTICUT,  NEW  YORK,  NEW  JERSEY,  DELAWARE,  PENNSYLVANIA, 
WEST  VIRGINIA,  OHIO,  MICHIGAN  AND  MINNESOTA. 

Upon  the  bronze  pages  of  the  book  that  surmounts  the  plinth  are  set 
forth  the  divisions,  brigades,  and  batteries  that  contended  in  this  assault, 
among  them  being  Harrow’s  brigade  of  Gibbon’s  division  of  the  Second 
corps,  of  which  the  Nineteenth  Maine  regiment  was  a part,  and  among  the 
Union  forces  enumerated  as  assisting  in  the  repulse  appears  Dow’s  Bat- 
tery of  McGilvery’s  Artillery  brigade.  Upon  a bronze  tablet  on  the  north 
side  of  the  monument  enumerating  organizations  that  met  the  assaulting 
column  is  found  the  Nineteenth  Maine  regiment,  also  company  D,  2d  U.  S. 
Sharpshooters. 

In  general  terms  the  monument  consists  of  the  following  elements:  A 
massive  open  bronze  book  rests  at  an  incline,  propped  by  two  pyramids  of 
cannon  balls,  upon  the  plinth  of  polished  Fox  Island,  Maine,  granite;  the 
plinth  upon  a polished  Quincy  granite  base  seven  feet  four  inches  wide  by 
nine  feet  in  length  and  sixteen  inches  high;  the  whole  planted  upon  a rough- 
faced sub-base  or  water  table  of  Gettysburg  granite. 

Outside  the  base  is  an  esplanade  constructed  of  granolithic  cement,  with 
curb  of  hammered  granite,  approached  by  two  granite  steps  in  front,  afford- 
ing a walk  about  five  feet  in  width,  separated  from  the  water  table  by  a raised 
dais,  also  curbed.  At  the  north  and  south  extensions  the  esplanade  ends  in 
quarter-circle  wings,  upon  each  of  which  stands  a field  piece. 

The  monument  with  stone  approaches  covers  a space  eighteen  feet  six 
inches  by  forty-eight  feet  six  inches. 


538 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  legend  upon  the  open  pages  of  the  bronze  book  (without  preserving 
the  lines)  reads  as  follows: — 

HIGH  WATER  MARK 
of  the  Rebellion. 

This  copse  of  trees  was  the  landmark  towards  which  Longstreet’s 
assault  was  directed  July  3,  1863. 

The  Assaulting  Column  was  composed  of  Kemper’s,  Garnett’s  and 
Armistead’s  Brigades  of  Pickett’s  Division,  Archer’s,  Davis’,  Pettigrew’s 
and  Brockenbrough’s  Brigades  of  Heth’s  Division  and  Scales’  and  Lane’s 
Brigades  of  Pender’s  Division. 

Supported  on  the  right  by  Wilcox’s  and  Perry’s  Brigades  of  Ander- 
son’s Division;  on  the  left  by  Thomas’  and  McGowan’s  Brigades  of  Pen- 
der’s Division;  and  in  rear  by  Wright’s,  Posey’s  and  Mahone’s  Brigades  of 
Anderson’s  Division,  and  assisted  by  the  following  artillery: 

Cabell’s  Battalion,  consisting  of  Manly’s,  Fraser’s,  McCarthy’s,  and 
Carlton’s,  Batteries.  Alexander’s  Battalion,  Woolfolk’s,  Jordan’s,  Gil- 
bert’s, Moody’s,  Parker’s  and  Taylor’s  Batteries.  Eshleman’s  Battalion, 
Squires’,  Richardson’s,  Miller’s  and  Norcom’s  Batteries.  Dearing’s  Bat- 
talion, Stribling’s,  Caskie’s,  Macon’s  and  Blount’s  Batteries.  Cutts’ 
Battalion,  Ross’,  Patterson’s  and  Wingfield’s  Batteries.  Poague’s  Bat- 
talion, Wyatt’s,  Graham’s,  Ward’s  and  Brooke’s  Batteries.  Pegram’s 
Battalion,  McGraw’s,  Zimmerman’s,  Brander’s,  Marye’s  and  Crenshaw 
Batteries.  McIntosh’s  Battalion,  Rice’s,  Hurt’s,  Wallace’s  and  John- 
son’s Batteries.  Carter’s  Battalion,  Reese’s,  Carter’s,  Page’s  and  Fry’s 
Batteries.  Brown’s  Battalion,  Watson’s,  Smith’s,  Cunningham’s  and 
Griffin’s  Batteries. 

Repulse  of 

LONGSTREET’S  ASSAULT. 

Longstreet’s  Assault  was  repulsed  by  Webb’s,  Hall’s  and  Harrow’s 
Brigades  of  Gibbon’s  Division  Second  Army  Corps;  Smyth’s  and  Wil- 
lard’s Brigades  and  portions  of  Carroll’s  Brigade  of  Hays’  Division  Second 
Army  Corps;  and  the  First  Massachusett’s  Sharpshooters  (unattached),  por- 
tions of  Rowley’s  and  Stannard’s  Brigades  of  Doubleday’s  Division  First 
Army  Corps;  Hazard’s  Second  Corps  Artillery  Brigade,  consisting 
of  Woodruff’s,  Arnold’s,  Cushing’s,  Brown’s  and  Rorty’s  Batteries. 

Assisted  on  the  right  by  Hill’s,  Edgell’s,  Eakin’s,  Bancroft’s,  Dilger’s 
and  Taft’s  Batteries  on  Cemetery  Hill;  and  on  the  left  by  Cowan’s,  Fitz- 
hugh’s,  Parsons’,  Wheeler’s,  Thomas’,  Daniels’  and  Sterling’s  Batteries 
and  McGilvery’s  Artillery  Brigade,  consisting  of  Thompson’s,  Phil- 
lips’, Hart’s,  Cooper’s,  Dow’s  and  Ames’  Batteries,  and  by  Hazlett’s  Battery 
on  Little  Round  Top. 

And  supported  by  Doudleday’s  Division  of  the  First  Army  Corps, 
which  was  in  position  on  the  immediate  left  of  the  troops  assaulted. 

The  Third  Army  Corps  moved  up  to  within  supporting  distance  on 
the  left,  and  Robinson’s  Division  of  the  First  Army  Corps  moved  into 
position  to  support  the  right. 


HIGH  WATER  MARK  MONUMENT. 


539 


The  State  of  Maine  cheerfully  contributed  the  sum  of  five 
hundred  dollars  to  assist  in  erecting  this  monument,  which  was 
the  full  amount  asked  for  in  that  enterprise  by  the  Gettysburg 
Battlefield  Memorial  Association. 

As  has  been  already  stated,  the  Nineteenth  Maine  regiment, 
whose  monument  stands  a short  distance  southerly  of  this  posi- 
tion, was  moved  at  the  crisis  of  " Longstreet’s  Assault  ” to  this 
place,  when  with  Harrow’s  brigade,  Gibbon’s  division,  Second 
corps,  it  engaged  the  enemy.  It  was  also  towards  this  part  of 
the  line  that  the  Third  and  Fourth  Maine  regiments  were  rap- 
idly moved,  under  heavy  artillery  fire  from  the  Confederates, 
to  support  the  Second  corps  line,  near  the  close  of  the  desperate 
struggle.  Tablets  furnished  by  the  State  of  Maine  have  been 
recently  located  by  the  Gettysburg  National  Park  Commission- 
ers marking  the  positions  of  the  Third  and  Fourth  regiments. 

This  monument  was  dedicated  June  2,  1892,  by  appropriate 
services.  Maine  was  represented  on  this  occasion  by  a number 
of  officials  and  prominent  citizens.  The  Maine  Gettysburg 
Commissioners  were  represented  by  their  chairman  General 
Hamlin,  General  Heath,  Major  Thaxter  and  Major  Stevens, 
members  of  their  Executive  Committee.  General  Heath  was 
formerly  colonel  of  the  Nineteenth  Maine,  commanding  that 
regiment  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 


540 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


ADDITIONAL  PARTICIPATING  OFFICERS. 

The  following  is  a list  of  general,  staff,  and  other  officers 
either  resident  or  native  of  the  State  of  Maine  who  served  in 
the  army  of  the  Potomac  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  not 
belonging  to  any  of  the  Maine  organizations  : — 

Oliver  O.  Howard,  Major-General  U.  S.  Vols.,  command- 
ing 11th  corps.  — Major-General  U.  S.  A. 

Albion  P.  Home,  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  Vols.,  com- 
manding 2d  division,  6th  corps.  — Brevet  Major-General  U.  S. 
Vols.  ; Colonel  4th  Art’y  U.  S.  A. 

Rueus  Ingalls,  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  Vols.,  Quarter- 
master army  of  the  Potomac.  — Brigadier  and  brevet  Major- 
General  U.  S.  A. 

Seth  Williams,  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  Vols.,  Adjutant 
General  army  of  Potomac. — Brigadier  and  brevet  Major-General 
U.  S.  A. 

Adelbert  Ames,  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  Vols.,  command- 
ing 2d  brigade,  1st  division,  also  commanding  1st  division,  11th 
army  corps.  — Captain  5th  U.  S.  Art’y;  brevet  Major-General 
IT.  S.  A. 

Romeyn  B.  Ayres,  Brigadier-General  IT.  S.  Vols.,  com- 
manding 2d  division,  5th  corps.  — Captain  5th  U.  S.  Art’y; 
brevet  Major-General  U.  S.  A. 

John  C.  Caldwell,  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  Vols.,  com- 
manding 1st  division,  2d  corps.  — Brevet  Major-General  U. 
S.  VolsT 

Joseph  S.  Smith,  Lieut. -Colonel  U.  S.  Vols.,  Asst.  Com- 
missary of  Subsistence,  Chief  Commissary  of  2d  corps,  staff 
of  Major-General  Hancock.  — Brevet  Colonel  and  Brigadier- 
General  U.  S.  Vols.  ; recipient  of  Congressional  medal  of  honor. 

William  H.  Omen,  Lieut.- Colonel  U.  S.  Vols.,  A.  Q.  M., 
Chief  Quartermaster  of  5th  corps.  — Colonel  and  Inspector 
Q.  M.  Dept. 


ADDITIONAL  PARTICIPATING  OFFICERS. 


541 


Charles  Hamlin,  Major  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General 
U.  S.  Vols.,  Adjutant  General  2d  division,  3d  corps.  Men- 
tioned in  official  report  of  Gen.  Humphreys,  commanding  the 
division  at  Gettysburg,  who  expressed  his  " sense  of  the  obliga- 
tions he  was  under  for  the  valuable  services  rendered  him  on 
the  field  by  Major  Hamlin.”  — Brevet  Colonel  and  Brigadier- 
General  U.  S.  Vols.  ; Asst.  Inspector  of  Art’y. 

Freeman  McGllvery,  Major  Maine  Light  Artillery,  com- 
manding 1st  Vol.  brigade,  Reserve  Artillery.  Mentioned  in 
official  report  of  Gen.  Tyler,  commanding  Artillery  Reserve  at 
Gettysburg,  calling  attention  to  "the  intrepid  conduct  and 
excellent  judgment  displayed  by  Major  McGilvery.” — 

Lieut. -Colonel  Maine  Light  Artillery. 

Charles  H.  Howard,  Major  U.  S.  Vols.,  Aide-de-Camp 
on  staff  of  Major-General  Howard,  11th  corps.  — Colonel  128th 
U.  S.  Col.  Inf.  ; brevet  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  Vols. 

John  Marshall  Brown,  Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant 
General  U.  S.  Vols.,  staff  of  Brigadier-General  Ames,  2d  brig- 
ade, 1st  division,  11th  corps.  Mentioned  in  official  report  of 
Gen.  Ames  as  having  " rendered  most  valuable  services  during 
the  three  days’  fighting.  With  great  coolness  and  energy  he 
ably  seconded  my  [Ames’]  efforts  in  repelling  the  assault  made 
by  the  enemy  on  the  evening  of  the  2d.”  — Lieut. -Colonel  32d 
Maine  regiment ; brevet  Colonel  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
conduct  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg ; brevet  Brigadier-General 
II.  S.  Vols.,  March  13,  1865. 

Edward  B.  Knox,  Major  44th  N.  Y.  Vols.  — Brevet  Lieut. - 
Colonel  U.  S.  A. 

John  A.  Douglass,  Surgeon  11th  Mass.  Vols. 

Charles  H.  Flagg,  Captain  142d  Penn.  Vols.,  acting 
Inspector-General  3d  division,  1st  corps.  Killed  July  3d. 
Mentioned  for  gallant  conduct  in  official  report  of  Gen.  Rowley. 

Stephen  LI.  Manning,  Captain  and  A.  Q.  M.  U.  S.  Vols., 
Chief  Quartermaster  1st  division,  6th  corps.  — Brevet  Brigadier- 
General  U.  S.  Vols. 

William  H.  Mills,  First  Lieutenant  14th  IT.  S.  Inf.  — 
Brevet  Major  U.  S.  A. 

Edward  A.  Ellsworth,  First  Lieutenant  11th  U.  S.  Inf. 


542 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Lewis  H.  Sanger,  First  Lieutenant  17t,h  U.  S.  Inf.  — 
Brevet  Major  U.  S.  A. 

William  H.  Chamberlin,  First  Lieutenant  17th  U.  S.  Inf. 
Killed  at  Gettysburg. 

William  Harmon,  First  Lieutenant  1st  Minn.  Inf. 
William  Stone,  First  Lieutenant  19th  Mass. — Brevet 
Major. 

Ira  W.  Trask,  First  Lieutenant  U.  S.  Yols.,  regiment  not 
ascertained.  — First  Lieutenant  9th  U.  S.  Cav.  ; brevet  Captain 
U.  S.  A.  for  gallantry  at  Gettysburg. 

Samuel  Adams,  Assistant  Surgeon  8th  U.  S.  Inf.  at  army 
headquarters. 

Michael  C.  Boyce,  Second  Lieutenant  10th  U.  S.  Inf. 
Mortally  wounded  at  Gettysburg. 

Harry  L.  Haskell,  Second  Lieutenant,  Acting  Adjutant, 
125th  N.  Y.,  of  Willard’s  brigade. 


GETTYSBURG  SUMMARIES. 

MAINE  PARTICIPANTS  AND  CASUALTIES  REVISED. 

Total  of  Maine  under  Meade,  330  officers,  5,012  men. 

These  may  be  classed  as  follows  : — 

Commands  and  detachments  fully  engaged,  185  officers, 
2,658  men. 

Commands  only  slightly  engaged,  or  in  reserve,  96  officers, 
1,420  men. 

Non-combatants,  including  those  detailed,  49  officers,  934 
men. 

Casualties  among  the  fully  engaged  class  : — 

Killed  and  died  of  wounds,  18  officers,  205  men.  Wounded, 
35  officers,  486  men.  Missing  and  prisoners,  13  officers,  209 
men.  Aggregate  loss  of  this  class,  966,  which  is  more  than  one- 
third  of  those  engaged.  The  number  of  killed  and  wounded 
was  744, — 26  per  cent  of  those  engaged. 

Besides  the  abore  casualties  there  were  2 killed,  7 wounded 
and  1 missing,  from  the  commands  only  slightly  engaged. 


PART  2 


9 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS 


ERECTED  BY  THE  STATE  OF  MAINE  ON  THE  BATTLEFIEED  OF 

GETTYSBURG. 

October  3,  1889 
ORDER  OF  THE  DAY. 

National  Salute,  to  be  fired  at  9 o’clock  A.  M.,  from  Cemetery  Hill. 
Minute  guns. 

Inspection  of  the  Maine  Monuments  by  the  Governor  of  Maine,  the  Maine 
Gettysburg  Commissioners,  accompanied  by  Hon.  Hannibal  Hamlin  and 
other  members  of  the  Maine  party.  Regimental  reunions  and  dedicatory 
exercises  at  the  different  Monuments  on  the  visit  of  the  carriage  party. 

Dedication  of  the  Maine  Monuments,  at  the  County  Court  House,  com- 
mencing at  8 o’clock  p.  m. 

Gen.  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain,  President  of  the  day.  Brevet  Brig.-Gen. 
Francis  E.  Heath,  Marshal  of  the  day. 

Executive  Committee  Maine  Gettysburg  Commission: 

Charles  Hamlin,  Bangor;  Francis  E.  Heath,  Waterville; 

Charles  B.  Merrill,  Portland;  Sidney  VV.  Thaxter,  Portland; 

Greenlief  T.  Stevens,  Augusta. 

ORDER  OF  EXERCISES. 

Address. — Gen.  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain,  Ex-Governor  of  Maine  and 
Colonel  of  the  Twentieth  Maine  Regiment,  on  taking  the  chair. 

Prayer. — Rev.  Theodore  Gerrish  of  the  Twentieth  Maine  Regiment. 

Address.  — Presentation  of  the  Maine  Monuments  to  the  Governor  of 
Maine,  by  Gen.  Charles  Hamlin,  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee, 
Maine  Gettysburg  Commission,  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General  Second 
division,  Third  corps  and  Inspector  of  Artillery. 

Response.  — Presentation  of  the  Monuments  to  the  Gettysburg  Battle- 
field Memorial  Association,  by  Hon.  Edwin  C.  Burleigh,  Governor  of  Maine. 

Response.  — In  behalf  of  the  Association,  Hon.  James  A.  Beaver,  Gov- 
ernor of  Pennsylvania,  or  his  representative. 

Oration.  — Gen.  Selden  Connor,  Ex-Governor  of  Maine  and  Lieut. - 
Colonel  of  the  Seventh  Maine  Regiment. 

Prayer  and  Benediction.  — Rev.  G.  R.  Palmer,  Nineteenth  Maine 
Regiment. 

The  day,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  October,  was  used 
for  the  regimental  reunions  and  for  visiting  places  of  interest 
upon  the  field.  It  was  the  rare  pleasure  of  the  company  to  hear 
the  stories  of  many  exciting  scenes  of  the  battle  from  the  lips 
of  narrators,  who  had  also  been  actors  in  those  scenes. 


546 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


In  the  evening  the  general  dedicatory  exercises  occurred  In 
the  Gettysburg  Court  House  before  a large  audience.  The 
programme  was  carried  out  as  arranged.  Major  Greenlief  T. 
Stevens,  secretary  of  the  executive  committee,  called  the 
assembly  to  order  and  in  a brief  and  fitting  manner  introduced 
General  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain  as  president  of  the  day  who, 
on  taking  the  chair,  made  the  following  address  : — 

GENERAL  CHAMBERLAIN’S  ADDRESS. 

The  State  of  Maine  stands  here  to-day  for  the  first  time  in 
her  own  name.  In  other  days  she  was  here  indeed — here  in 
power  — here  in  majesty  — here  in  glory;  but  as  elsewhere 
and  often  in  the  centuries  before,  with  that  humility  which  is 
perhaps  the  necessary  law  of  human  exaltation,  her  worth 
merged  in  a name  mightier  than  her  own,  so  here,  content  to 
be  part  of  that  greater  being  that  she  held  dearer  than  self,  but 
which  was  made  more  worthy  of  honor  by  her  belonging  to  it 
— the  United  States  of  America.  Eor  which  great  end,  in 
every  heroic  struggle  from  the  beginning  of  our  history  until 
now,  — a space  of  more  than  two  hundred  years,  — she  has 
given  her  best  of  heart  and  brain  and  poured  out  her  most 
precious  blood. 

To-day  she  stands  here,  in  a service  of  mingled  recogni- 
tions ; humbly  submitting  to  that  mysterious  law  of  sacrifice 
and  suffering  for  the  deliverance  from  evil ; bending  sorrow- 
fully above  the  dust  to  which  have  returned  again  the  priceless 
jewels  offered  from  her  bosom  ; proud  that  it  was  her  part  and 
lot  that  what  was  best  in  her  giving  and  what  was  immortal  in 
her  loss  should  be  builded  into  the  nation’s  weal ; and  stretch- 
ing out  her  hand,  of  justice  and  of  grace,  to  raise  along  these 
silent  lines  of  battle  monuments  eloquent  of  her  costly  devotion 
and  of  the  great  reward.  She  stands  here  — not  ashamed 
when  the  roll  of  honor  is  called,  to  speak  her  own  name,  and 
answer,  Here ! 

The  organization  of  the  arm}'  of  the  Union  was  a counter- 
part of  that  of  the  Union  itself.  In  its  ultimate  elements  and 
separate  units  of  organization,  the  personal  force  and  political 
authority  of  each  State  were  present ; but  they  were  merged  and 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


547 


mingled  in  another  order,  which  took  another  and  higher  name 
when  exercised  jointly,  in  a single  aim,  for  the  common  weal. 
For  reasons  various  but  valid,  the  regiments  and  batteries  of 
the  several  States  were,  for  the  most  part,  separated  in  assign- 
ment, distributed  to  different  brigades,  divisions,  corps,  armies. 
Some  sad  suggestions  there  were  among  these  reasons  ; for  one, 
the  care  that  in  some  great  disaster  the  loss  might  not  fall  too 
heavily  on  the  families  of  one  neighborhood.  But  there  was  a 

o 

greater  reason.  Our  thoughts  were  not  then  of  States  as  States, 
but  of  the  States  united,  — of  that  union  and  oneness  in  which 
the  People  of  the  United  States  lived  and  moved  and  had  their 
being.  Our  hearts  beat  to  that  one  high  thought ; our  eyes  saw 
but  the  old  flag ; and  our  souls  saw  it,  glorious  with  the  sym- 
bols of  power  and  peace  and  blessing  in  the  forward  march 
of  man. 

But  now  that  this  victory  is  won,  this  cause  vindicated,  and 
the  great  fact  of  the  being  and  authority  of  the  People  of  the 
United  States  has  been  thus  solemnly  attested, — the  moral 
forces  summoning,  and  as  it  were  consecrating  the  physical  as 
token  and  instrument  of  their  convictions,  — now,  the  several 
States  that  stood  as  one  in  that  high  cause  come  here  in  their 
own  name, — in  the  noblest  sphere  of  their  State  rights,  — to 
ratify  and  confirm  this  action  of  their  delegates ; to  set  these 
monuments  as  seals  to  their  own  great  deeds,  and  new  testa- 
ment of  life. 

To-day  we  stand  on  an  awful  arena,  where  character  which 
was  the  growth  of  centuries  was  tested  and  determined  by  the 
issues  of  a single  day.  We  are  compassed  about  by  a cloud 
of  witnesses ; not  alone  the  shadowy  ranks  of  those  who 
wrestled  here,  but  the  greater  parties  of  the  action  — they  for 
whom  these  things  were  done.  Forms  of  thought  rise  before 
us,  as  in  an  amphitheatre,  circle  beyond  circle,  rank  above 
rank  ; The  State,  The  Union,  The  People.  And  these  are  One. 
Let  us  — from  the  arena, — contemplate  them,  the  spiritual 
spectators. 

There  is  an  aspect  in  which  the  question  at  issue  might  seem 
to  be  of  forms,  and  not  of  substance.  It  was,  on  its  face,  a 
question  of  government.  There  was  a boastful  pretense  that 


548 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


each  State  held  in  its  hands  the  death-warrant  of  the  Nation ; 
that  any  State  had  a right,  without  show  of  justification  outside 
of  its  own  caprice,  to  violate  the  covenants  of  the  constitution, 
to  break  away  from  the  Union,  and  set  up  its  own  little  sover- 
eignty as  sufficient  for  all  human  purposes  and  ends ; thus 
leaving  it  to  the  mere  will  or  whim  of  any  member  of  our 
political  system  to  destroy  the  body  and  dissolve  the  soul  of 
the  Great  People.  This  was  the  political  question  submitted 
to  the  arbitrament  of  arms.  But  the  victory  was  of  great 
politics  over  small.  It  was  the  right  reason,  the  moral  con- 
sciousness and  solemn  resolve  of  the  people  rectifying  its 
wavering  exterior  lines  according  to  the  life-lines  of  its 
organic  being. 

There  is  a phrase  abroad  which  obscures  the  legal  and  the 
moral  questions  involved  in  the  issue,  — indeed,  which  distorts 
and  falsifies  history:  " The  War  between  the  States.”  There 
are  here  no  States  outside  of  the  Union.  Resolving  themselves 
out  of  it  does  not  release  them.  Even  were  they  successful  in 
intrenching  themselves  in  this  attitude,  they  would  only  relapse 
into  territories  of  the  United  States.  Indeed,  several  of  the 
States  so  resolving  were  never  in  their  own  right  either  States 
or  Colonies  ; but  their  territories  were  purchased  by  the  common 
treasury  of  the  Union,  and  were  admitted  as  States  out  of  its 
grace  and  generosity.  Underneath  this  phrase  and  title,  — 
"The  War  between  the  States,”  — lies  the  false  assumption  that 
our  Union  is  but  a compact  of  States.  Were  it  so,  neither  party 
to  it  could  renounce  it  at  his  own  mere  will  or  caprice.  Even 
on  this  theory  the  States  remaining  true  to  the  terms  of  their 
treaty,  and  loyal  to  its  intent,  would  have  the  right  to  resist 
force  by  force,  to  take  up  the  gage  of  battle  thrown  down  by 
the  rebellious  States,  and  compel  them  to  return  to  their  duty 
and  their  allegiance.  The  Law  of  Nations  would  have  accorded 
the  loyal  States  this  right  and  remedy. 

But  this  was  not  our  theory,  nor  our  justification.  The 
flag  we  bore  into  the  field  was  not  that  of  particular  States,  no 
matter  how  many  nor  how  loyal,  arrayed  against  other  States. 
It  was  the  flag  of  the  Union,  the  flag  of  the  people,  vindicating 
the  right  and  charged  with  the  duty  of  preventing  any  factions, 


GENERAL  CHAMBERLAIN’S  ADDRESS. 


549 


no  matter  how  many  nor  under  what  pretense,  from  breaking 
up  this  common  Country. 

It  was  the  country  of  the  South  as  well  as  of  the  North. 
The  men  who  sought  to  dismember  it,  belonged  to  it.  Its  life 
was  a larger  life,  aloof  from  the  dominance  of  self-surround- 
ings ; but  in  it  their  truest  interests  were  interwoven.  They 
suffered  themselves  to  be  drawn  down  from  the  spiritual  ideal 
by  influences  of  the  physical  world.  There  is  in  man  that  peril 
of  the  double  nature.  "But  I see  another  law,”  says  St.  Paul, 
" I see  another  law  in  my  members,  warring  against  the  law  of 
my  mind.” 

There  is  here,  I admit,  an  intrinsic  confusion,  one  arising 
out  of  the  very  nature  of  the  case  ; for  both  sides  claimed  to  be 
fighting  for  the  same  things  : " self-government, ’’"freedom,” — 
if  that  means  liberty  to  act  one’s  own  will,  — and  even  " constitu- 
tional rights.”  But  the  simple  fact  is,  — and  a most  momentous 
one,  — that  the  same  human  life  runs  in  many  spheres ; and 
here  people  were  feeling  and  thinking  and  seeing  and  acting  in 
one  sphere  and  capacity  on  one  side,  and  in  another  on  the 
other  side.  Temperament,  education,  habit,  have  place  some- 
times in  mighty  consequences.  Here,  one  party  limited  their 
interests  by  the  bounds  of  States  ; the  other  by  the  bounds  of 
Country  comprehending  the  rights  of  Man.  The  truth  is,  our 
political  life  and  being  are  in  two  capacities,  — people  of  the 
States,  and  people  of  the  United  States.  Every  man  and 
woman  of  us  lives  in  both  at  once.  In  the  ruling  sentiments 
of  a complex  people  the  likenesses  may  be  very  great,  yet  some 
small  differences  become  the  starting-points  for  great  issues  of 
right  and  wrong,  — pivots  on  which  mighty  movements  swung. 

No,  not  a war  between  the  States  ; but  a war  between  the 
Spheres  ! 

No  one  of  us  would  disregard  the  manly  qualities  and  ear- 
nest motives  among  those  who  permitted  themselves  to  strike 
at  the  life  of  the  Union  we  held  so  vital  and  so  dear,  and  thus 
made  themselves  our  foes.  Truly  has  it  been  said  that  the  best 
of  virtues  may  be  enlisted  in  the  worst  of  causes. 

Had  the  question  of  breaking  up  this  Union  been  submitted 
to  the  people  of  the  South  as  American  citizens,  I do  not  believe 


550 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


it  possible  that  such  a resolution  could  have  been  taken.  But 
the  leaders  in  that  false  step  knew  how  to  take  advantage  of 
instincts  deeply  planted  in  every  American  heart  ; and  by  per- 
verting their  State  Governments,  and  making  their  conspiracy 
seem  to  be  the  act  and  intent  of  the  States,  sprung  an  appeal 
to  the  sentiment  of  loyalty  to  the  principle  of  local  self- 
government  ; and  the  thrilling  reveille  of  cannon  swept  the 
heart-strings  of  a chivalrous  and  impressionable  people.  There 
are  times  when  it  is  more  natural  to  act  than  to  reason,  and 
easier  to  fight  than  to  be  right.  But  the  men  that  followed 
that  signal  made  a terrible  mistake.  Misled  by  fictions  ; mis- 
taught  as  to  fact  and  doctrine  by  their  masters  of  political 
history  and  public  law  ; falsely  fired  by  misdirected  sentiment ; 
mazed  in  the  strange  contradiction  that  they  were  at  once  the 
champions  of  democracy  and  the  exponents  of  aristocratic  superi- 
ority, they  heeded  not  the  calm,  true  life  rolling  on  deep  within, 
— the  mightier  solution  of  differences, — the  great  coherence 
of  affinity,  stronger  by  counterpoise  of  attractions  and  interfu- 
sion of  unlikenesses,  than  any  mere  aggregation  of  sameness 
of  elements.  They  did  not  recognize  the  providential  facts 
of  history,  bejmnd  the  wilfulness  of  man,  — that  interior 
constitution,  formative  and  directive  of  all  others,  — that 
deeper  organic  law,  — that  divinely  pressing  ideal,  by  which  a 
Nation  grows. 

There  was  no  war  between  the  States.  It  was  a war  in  the 
name  of  certain  States  to  destroy  the  political  existence  of  the 
United  States,  in  membership  of  which  alone,  on  any  just 
theory  of  the  government,  their  own  sovereignty  as  States 
inhered,  and  could  make  itself  effectual.  To  this  absurd  pass 
did  that  false  theory  come,  — a war  of  States  against  the 
people ; and  if  successful,  the  suicide  of  States. 

Our  enemies,  it  is  true,  by  their  choice  of  field,  secured  the 
opportunity  to  say  they  were  resisting  an  invader ; that  they 
were  fighting  for  their  native  soil  and  birthright ; for  their 
homes  and  all  that  men  hold  dear  in  them.  We  understand 
the  power  of  sentiments  like  these,  even  when  abused  and 
played  upon  by  indirection. 

The  State  is  dear  to  all  of  us.  It  is  the  guardian  of  what 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


551 


we  may  call  home  rights  ; the  almoner  of  home-born  charities ; 
the  circle  within  which  likeness  of  material,  identity  of  interests 
and  sympathy  of  sentiment  make  a crystal  unity.  Were  our 
own  State  attacked  in  its  high  place  and  rightful  function,  we 
should  defend  it  as  valiantly  as  our  brethren  of  the  South  were 
made  to  think  they  were  defending  theirs.  But  no  such  assault 
was  made.  We  fought  against  no  State;  but  for  its  deliver- 
ance. We  fought  the  enemies  of  our  common  Country,  to 
overthrow  the  engines  and  symbols  of  its  destruction  wherever 
found  upon  its  soil.  We  fought  no  better,  perhaps,  than  they. 
We  exhibited,  perhaps,  no  higher  individual  qualities.  But 
the  cause  for  which  we  fought  was  higher ; our  thought  was 
wider.  We  too  were  fighting  for  birthright  and  native  soil ; 
for  homes  and  all  the  sanctities  of  life,  wide  over  the  land,  and 
far  forward  through  the  years  to  come.  For  all  this  belongs 
to  us,  and  we  to  it.  That  thought  was  our  power.  We  took 
rank  by  its  height,  and  not  of  our  individual  selves. 

It  is  something  great  and  greatening  to  cherish  an  ideal ; 
to  act  in  the  light  of  the  truth  that  is  far-away  and  far  above  ; 
to  set  aside  the  near  advantage,  the  momentary  pleasure ; the 
snatching  of  seeming  good  to  self,  and  to  act  for  remoter  ends, 
for  higher  good,  and  for  interests  other  than  our  own. 

To  us  this  people  in  its  life  on  earth  was  a moral  person- 
ality, having  a character  and  a commission ; hence  responsi- 
bility; hence  duty  ; hence  right,  and  its  authority.  The  Union 
was  the  body  of  a spiritual  Unity.  Of  this  we  were  part,  — 
responsible  to  it  and  for  it,  — and  our  sacrifice  was  its  service. 

Our  personality  exists  in  two  identities, — the  sphere  of 
self,  and  the  sphere  of  soul.  One  is  circumscribed;  the  other 
moving  out  on  boundless  trajectories ; one  is  near,  and  there- 
fore dear;  the  other  far  and  high,  and  therefore  great.  We 
live  in  both,  but  most  in  the  greatest.  Men  reach  their  com- 
pletest  development,  not  in  isolation  nor  working  within  narrow 
bounds,  but  through  membership  and  participation  in  life  of 
largest  scope  and  fullness.  To  work  out  all  the  worth  of  man- 
hood ; to  gain  free  range  and  play  for  all  specific  differences, 
to  find  a theatre  and  occasion  for  exercise  of  the  highest  virtues, 
we  need  the  widest  organization  of  the  human  forces  consistent 


552 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


with  the  laws  of  cohesion  and  self-direction.  It  is  only  by 
these  radiating  and  reflected  influences  that  the  perfection  of 
the  individual  and  of  the  race  can  be  achieved. 

A great  and  free  country  is  not  merely  defense  and  protec- 
tion. For  every  earnest  spirit,  it  is  opportunity  and  inspiration. 
In  its  rich  content  and  manifold  resources,  its  bracing  atmos- 
phere of  broad  fellowship  and  friendly  rivalry,  impulse  is  given 
to  every  latent  aptitude  and  special  faculty.  Meantime  enlarged 
humanity  reflects  itself  in  every  participant.  The  best  of  each 
being  given  to  all,  the  best  of  all  returns  to  each.  So  the 
greatness  as  well  as  the  power  of  a country  broadens  every  life 
and  blesses  every  home.  Hence  it  is  that  in  questions  of  rank, 
of  rights,  and  duties,  Country  must  stand  supreme. 

The  thought  goes  deeper.  There  is  a mysterious  law  of 
our  nature  that,  in  this  sense  of  membership  and  participation, 
the  spirit  rises  to  a magnitude  commensurate  with  that  of  which 
it  is  part.  The  greatness  of  the  whole  passes  into  the  con- 
sciousness of  each ; the  power  of  the  whole  seems  to  become 
the  power  of  each,  and  the  character  of  the  whole  is  impressed 
upon  each.  The  inspiration  of  a noble  cause  involving  human 
interests  wide  and  far,  enables  men  to  do  things  they  did  not 
dream  themselves  capable  of  before,  and  which  they  were  not 
capable  of  alone.  The  consciousness  of  belonging,  vitally,  to 
something  beyond  individuality  ; of  being  part  of  a personality 
that  reaches  we  know  not  where,  in  space  and  in  time,  greatens 
the  heart  to  the  limits  of  the  soul’s  ideal,  and  builds  out  the 
supreme  of  character. 

It  was  something  like  this,  I think,  which  marked  our 
motive ; which  made  us  strong  to  light  the  bitter  fight  to  the 
victorious  end,  and  made  us  unrevengeful  and  magnanimous  in 
that  victory. 

We  rose  in  soul  above  the  things  which  even  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  pronounces  the  inalienable  rights  of  human 
nature,  for  the  securing  of  which  governments  are  instituted 
among  men.  Happiness,  liberty,  life,  we  laid  on  the  altar  of 
offering,  or  committed  to  the  furies  of  destruction,  while  our 
minds  were  lifted  up  to  a great  thought  and  our  hearts  swelled 
to  its  measure.  We  were  beckoned  on  by  the  vision  of  des- 


GENERAL  CHAMBERLAIN’S  ADDRESS. 


553 


tiny ; we  saw  our  Country  moving  forward,  charged  with  the 
sacred  trusts  of  man.  We  believed  in  its  glorious  career; 
the  power  of  high  aims  and  of  strong  purpose  ; the  continuity 
of  great  endeavor ; the  onward,  upward  path  of  history,  to 
God.  Every  man  felt  that  he  gave  himself  to,  and  belonged 
to,  something  beyond  time  and  above  place,  — something  which 
could  not  die. 

These  are  the  reasons,  not  fixed  in  the  form  of  things,  but 
formative  of  things,  reasons  of  the  soul,  why  we  fought  for  the 
Union.  And  this  is  the  spirit  in  which  having  overcome  the  dark 
powers  of  denial  and  disintegration,  having  restored  the  people 
of  the  South  to  their  place  and  privilege  in  the  Union,  and  set 
on  high  the  old  flag  telling  of  one  life  and  one  body,  one  free- 
dom and  one  law,  over  all  the  people  and  all  the  land  between 
the  four  great  waters,  we  now  come,  as  it  were,  home ; we 
look  into  each  other’s  eyes  ; we  speak  in  softer  tones  ; we  gather 
under  the  atmosphere  of  these  sacred  thoughts  and  memories, 

— like  the  high,  pure  air  that  shines  down  upon  us  to-day, 
flooding  these  fields  where  cloud  and  flash  and  thunder-roll  of 
battle  enshrouded  us  and  them  in  that  great  three  days’  burial, 

— to  celebrate  this  resurrection ; to  rear  on  these  far-away 
fields  memorials  of  familiar  names,  and  to  honor  the  State 
whose  honor  it  was  to  rear  such  manhood,  and  keep  such  faith, 
that  she  might  have  part  in  far-away  things. 

But  there  are  other  reasons,  more  determinate  and  tangible, 
reasons  embodied  in  positive  forms,  which  are  matters  of  knowl- 
edge and  understanding.  I have  said  that  the  issue  brought 
upon  us  was  a question  of  politics.  Every  one  knows  that  I 
do  not  mean  that  this  was  a party  question,  as  to  what  partic- 
ular set  of  persons  or  policies  should  have  control  of  the  Gov- 
ernment. And  when  I say  that  it  was  a political  question,  this 
is  not  saying  that  it  was  not  also  a moral  question.  For  I do 
not  think  that  politics  and  morals  are  so  utterly  alien  and  exclu- 
sive, one  from  the  other,  as  some  find  it  necessary  to  maintain. 
It  is  true  that  on  one  side  politics  is  concerned  with  forms, 
methods,  measures;  and  herein  acts  chiefly  upon  economic  and 
tactical  considerations.  Still,  all  these  must  be  conformable, 
or  at  least  not  alien,  to  the  great  constructive  principle  which 
holds  to  the  motive  and  to  the  final  cause  of  action. 


554 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Politics,  I believe,  is  the  organization  of  the  human  elements 
and  powers  for  the  promotion  of  right  living,  and  to  secure  the 
noblest  ends  of  living  attainable  in  human  character.  It  is, 
then,  a domain  which  on  its  higher  side  takes  cognizance  not 
alone  of  rights,  but  of  rightness,  and  of  human  worth,  and  of 
a nobleness  which  has  a moral  and  divine  ideal.  The  sphere  of 
politics,  therefore,  is  the  highest  range  of  thought  and  action, 
and  the  widest  field  of  practical  ethics  set  before  the  mind  of 
man  for  its  earthly  career. 

The  issue  before  us,  while  having  its  ultimate  ground  in 
reason  and  great  ethics,  and  the  perfectibility  of  man,  was 
practically  one  of  positive,  public  law.  It  was  an  issue,  as  we 
believed,  to  enforce  the  performance  of  constitutional  obligations 
undertaken  deliberately  and  freely  and  under  solemn  pledges, 
as  the  expression  of  the  deepest  convictions  of  the  mind  and 
conscience  of  the  people.  If  we  were  right,  then  there  was 
such  a being  and  power  on  this  earth  as  the  People  of  the 
United  States  of  America.  If  we  were  wrong,  then  there  was 
no  such  People,  but  a chaos  of  jarring  elements  and  antagoniz- 
ing interests.  The  forces  ranged  themselves  across  this  line. 
It  became  the  test  of  what  we  call  Loyalty.  This  was  a posi- 
tive, practical  question.  The  test  was  sharp.  The  answer 
must  be  final. 

That  question  has  been  answered ; at  the  cost  of  toil  and 
treasure,  of  blood  and  tears.  The  people  have  made  themselves 
the  expounders  of  their  Constitution.  The  decision  has  been 
accepted  by  clear,  constitutional  and  legal  enactment ; confirmed 
by  the  supreme  judicial  tribunals  of  the  land  ; and,  we  fervently 
trust,  sealed  by  the  benediction  of  the  Most  High.  We  are 
one  People ; and  the  law  of  its  spirit  is  supreme  over  the  law 
of  its  members. 

But  grave  responsibilities  come  with  great  victory.  The 
danger  is  not  so  much,  I think,  from  renewed  attacks  of  those 
who  lost,  as  from  the  tendencies  of  power  on  the  part  of  those  who 
won.  It  should  be  distinctly  borne  in  mind  that  we  were  not 
antagonizing  the  principle  of  local  self-government.  Our  tri- 
umph was  for  all  the  people,  and  in  full  recognition  of  the  value 
in  our  political  system  of  recognizing  local  centres  of  influence 


DEDICATION'  OF  MOXL'IIEN'TS. 


5 5 5 

and  of  government.  The  lost  cause  " is  not  lost  liberty  and 
right  of  self-government.  What  is  lost  is  slavery  of  men 
and  supremacy  of  States. 

It  was  necessary  for  us  to  save  the  Union.  In  the  stress 
and  sharpness  of  the  conflict  we  were  forced  to  strain  to  the 
utmost  all  the  central  powers  of  the  Government,  and  leave  it 
to  the  after-wisdom  of  the  People  to  restore  the  equilibrium  of 
powers,  to  see  to  it  that  the  abnorrna,  necessities  of  war  should 
not  be  made  precedents  for  the  law  of  life  and  growth.  Neces- 
sity is  a dangerous  plea  for  the  privilege  of  power ; especially 
when  the  sole  judsre  of  it  is  the  power  pretending  it.  In  times 
of  peace,  when  the  free  faculties  of  the  people  are  proceeding 
by  natural  and  spiritual  laws  of  growth,  the  powers  of  govern- 
ment should  be  jealously  guarded,  and  its  agents  held  close  to 
the  thought  and  purpose  of  the  people.  The  national  authoritv 
we  have  vindicated  by  the  war,  means  in  the  last  analysis  that 
Congress  is  the  sole  judge  of  its  own  powers,  and  sole  executor 
of  its  own  will.  This  is  a tremendous  trust.  God  grant  that 
it  be  ever  exercised,  not  in  willfulness  of  power  nor  by  force  of 
chance  majorities,  nor  to  favor  particular  or  partisan  interests, 
but  with  the  large  and  long  look,  and  with  the  deep  sense  of 
constitutional  obligation  and  of  supreme  trusts,  for  the  common 
well-being. 

To  this  end  the  place  of  the  State  in  our  political  system  is 
one  of  vital  importance.  The  inter-action  of  local  and  national 
capacities  is  a peculiarity  in  our  system,  without  parallel  and 
but  little  understood  in  other  lands,  and  liable  to  be  too  little 
regarded  in  our  own.  TTe  make  much  account  of  checks  and 
balances  in  the  separation  of  the  three  Departments  of  the 
Government  — Legislative,  Executive  and  Judicial.  A similar 
theory  does  not  hold  England  from  pressing  steadily  towards 
a concentration  of  power  in  the  hands  of  her  House  of  Com- 
mons, now  practically  absolute.  TTe  rely  justly  on  the  lines 
of  division  between  State  and  National  powers,  a wisdom  to 
which  England  has  not  yet  attained,  but  of  which  the  skillful 
recognition  makes  the  strength  of  the  German  Empire  of 
to-day,  while  the  lack  of  it  has  held  back  the  Erench  Kepublie 
for  a hundred  vears. 


556 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Local  self-government  alone  could  not  have  constructed  this 
People  ; but  without  local  self-government  as  an  instrumentality 
in  our  representative  system,  neither  Government  nor  people 
could  hold  together.  The  generative  and  formative  forces  are 
in  the  local  centres.  These  vortexes  of  living  energy,  touching 
and  interfusing,  are  rounded  into  oneness  and  bound  together 
by  the  deep,  central  consciousness  of  mutual  service  and  a 
common  destiny.  In  the  course  of  history,  which  we  call  the 
orderings  of  Providence,  local  traditions,  sentiments,  needs 
and  aspirations  have  made  up  the  strong  composite  character 
of  this  country.  So  long  as  the  people  of  each  decided  local 
type  and  centre  feel  that  in  the  institutions,  laws  and  policies 
of  the  great  People  shaping  the  larger  life,  their  own  freedom 
is  secured,  their  own  thoughts  and  interests  are  represented, 
they  will  feel  bound  together  by  the  central  attraction  of  a 
vital  force,  and  no  lesser  influence  nor  lower  impulse  can  tempt 
away  their  loyalty,  patriotism  and  pride  of  partnership. 

But  it  is  not  enough  that  the  State  is  supreme  in  its  sphere, 
and  that  departments  of  government  shall  not  encroach  upon 
each  other.  Our  strongest  safeguard  is  in  personal  participa- 
tion in  the  direction  and  destiny  of  the  Nation.  It  is  not  the 
separation  of  spheres  and  offices  in  the  administrative  order, 
but  the  interpenetration  of  State  and  National  capacities  in  the 
organic  order.  The  political  unit  of  organization  is  neither 
the  individual  nor  the  State  ; but  the  people  of  each  State,  — 
each  man  acting,  not  in  his  personal  capacity,  but  in  his  polit- 
ical capacity ; exercising  not  his  isolated,  " natural  rights  ” in 
the  commonly  conceived,  fictitious,  impossible  sense,  but  the 
powers  and  franchises  recognized  in  him  or  conferred  upon 
him  in  the  Constitution  of  his  State,  which  is  the  appointed 
order  of  the  common  life.  Our  " self-government  ” is  not  the 
aggregate  will  of  so  many  Ishmaelites,  but  the  political  people 
of  the  several  States  in  their  responsible  character  and  mature 
convictions,  regulating  the  civil  order  in  their  own  State,  and 
reaching  out  to  their  larger  interests,  administering  the  great 
trusts  of  the  Nation.  Just  as  in  the  sphere  and  function  of  the 
States  is  the  surest  safeguard  of  liberty,  — as  those  who  are  to 
make  and  execute  the  laws  which  affect  the  daily  life  and  dear- 


GENERAL  CHAMBERLAIN’S  ADDRESS. 


557 


est  interests  are  chosen  from  among  citizens  whom  the  people 
know,  and  can  trust  and  can  vouch  for,  — so  it  is  within  the 
power  of  the  same  people,  acting  yet  through  their  State  organ- 
izations, to  see  to  it  that  in  the  election  of  Representatives, 
Senators  and  Presidents  only  such  men  are  chosen  as  well 
understand  the  delicate  articulations  by  which  liberty  is  kept 
alive,  who  are  brave  to  reverse  the  false  maxim  that  the  law 
cares  not  for  the  least  but  only  for  the  great,  and  who  repre- 
sent not  the  mere  will  of  a momentary  majority,  but  the  heart 
and  conscience  of  the  manifold  people  which  make  their  vote 
the  voice  of  God. 

When  the  martyr  President,  standing  on  this  hallowed 
ground  at  the  consecration  of  this  cemetery,  uttered  that  noble 
climax  of  his  immortal  speech,  "We  here  highly  resolve  that 
the  government  of  the  people,  by  the  people,  and  for  the 
people,  shall  not  perish  from  the  earth,”  he  meant  such  a people 
as  I have  described.  Surely  he  did  not  mean  in  this  sublime 
utterance  to  justify  the  rule  of  mob  majority,  nor  to  furnish  a 
watchword  for  revolutionists  like  those  who  a century  ago  in 
Prance  knew  not  how  to  overthrow  tyranny  without  overturn- 
ing also  the  foundations  of  society  human  and  divine,  nor  a 
pretext  for  the  anarchists  and  dynamiters  of  to-day  who  in  the 
name  of  the  people  would  let  loose  a riot  of  discordant  and 
irresponsible  individualism  — a carnival  of  savage  greed  and 
frenzied  passion. 

He  meant  government ; he  meant  a people  holding  its  liberty 
under  law  ; exercising  its  sovereignty  by  deliberation  and  dele- 
gation ; respecting  its  minorities  ; checking  its  own  caprice  and 
facility  of  change  ; relegating  great  questions  to  its  sober  second 
thought ; its  consciousness  alive  in  every  part,  but  guided  ever 
by  great  commanding  convictions,  and  pressing  forward  as 
one  for  the  goal  of  a common  good. 

Part  and  parcel  of  this  political  being  of  the  people  is  this 
State  of  ours.  As  such  she  stood  on  these  hills  and  slopes  a 
generation  ago,  of  the  foremost  of  the  people’s  defenders. 
Whether  on  the  first,  the  second,  or  the  third  day’s  battle ; 
whether  on  the  right,  caught  and  cut  to  pieces  by  the  great 
shears-blades  of  two  suddenly  enclosing  hostile  columns ; on 


558 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  left,  rolled  back  by  a cyclone  of  unappeasable  assault ; or 
on  the  centre,  dashed  upon  in  an  agony  of  desperation,  terrible, 
sublime ; wherever  there  was  a front,  the  guns  of  Maine  thun- 
dered and  her  colors  stood.  And  when  the  long,  dense,  surg- 
ing fight  was  over,  and  the  men  who  made  and  marked  the  line 
of  honor  were  buried  where  they  fell,  the  name  of  Maine  ran 
along  these  crests  and  banks,  from  the  Cavalry  Fields,  Wolfs 
Hill,  Culp’s  Hill,  and  the  Seminary  Ridge,  down  through 
the  Cemetery,  the  Peach  Orchard,  the  Wheat  Field  to  the 
Devil’s  Den  and  the  Round  Top  Crags  — a blazonry  of  enno- 
bled blood  ! 

Now  you  have  gathered  these  bodies  here.  You  mark  their 
names  with  head-stones,  and  compass  them  about  with  the  cor- 
don of  the  State’s  proud  sorrow.  You  station  them  here,  on 
the  ground  they  held.  Here  they  will  remain,  not  buried  but 
transfigured  forms,  — part  of  the  earth  they  glorified,  — part 
also  of  the  glory  that  is  to  be. 

No  chemistry  of  frost  or  rain,  no  overlaying  mould  of  the 
season’s  recurrent  life  and  death,  can  ever  separate  from  the  soil 
of  these  consecrated  fields  the  life-blood  so  deeply  commingled 
and  incorporate  here.  Ever  henceforth  under  the  rolling  suns, 
when  these  hills  are  touched  to  splendor  with  the  morning  light, 
or  smile  a farewell  to  the  lingering  day,  the  flush  that  broods 
upon  them  shall  be  rich  with  a strange  and  crimson  tone,  — 
not  of  the  earth,  nor  yet  of  the  sky,  but  mediator  and  hostage 
between  the  two. 

But  these  monuments  are  not  to  commemorate  the  dead 
alone.  Death  was  but  the  divine  acceptance  of  life  freely 
offered  by  everyone.  Service  was  the  central  fact.  That  fact, 
and  that  truth,  these  monuments  commemorate.  They  mark 
the  centres  around  which  stood  the  manhood  of  Maine,  steadfast 
in  noble  service, — to  the  uttermost,  to  the  uppermost ! Those 
who  fell  here  — those  who  have  fallen  before  or  since  — those 
who  linger,  yet  a little  longer,  soon  to  follow  ; all  are  mustered 
in  one  great  company  on  the  shining  heights  of  life,  with  that 
star  of  Maine’s  armorial  ensign  upon  their  foreheads  forever  — 
like  the  ranks  of  the  galaxy. 

In  great  deeds  something  abides.  On  great  fields  something 


PRAYER  OF  REV.  THEODORE  GERRISH. 


559 


stays.  Forms  change  and  pass  ; bodies  disappear  ; but  spirits 
linger,  to  consecrate  ground  for  the  vision-place  of  sonls.  And 
reverent  men  and  women  from  afar,  and  generations  that  know 
us  not  and  that  we  know  not  of,  heart-drawn  to  see  where  and 
by  whom  great  things  were  suffered  and  done  for  them,  shall 
come  to  this  deathless  field,  to  ponder  and  dream  ; and  lo  ! the 
shadow  of  a mighty  presence  shall  wrap  them  in  its  bosom,  and 
the  power  of  the  vision  pass  into  their  souls. 

This  is  the  great  reward  of  service.  To  live,  far  out  and 
on,  in  the  life  of  others  ; this  is  the  mystery  of  the  Christ,  — 
to  s^ive  life’s  best  for  such  high  sake  that  it  shall  be  found  aeain 
unto  life  eternal. 

PRAYER  OF  REV.  THEODORE  GERRISH. 

O Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling-place  in  all  generations.  We 
thank  thee  for  the  favorable  circumstances  under  which  we  are  permitted 
to  meet;  that  in  visiting  this  historic  field  where  once  rolled  and  tossed  the 
flames  of  war  we  now  look  upon  slopes  and  plains  which  are  robed  in  gar- 
ments of  peaceful  prosperity.  We  have  come  to  fulfill  a mission  for  our 
distant  State,  to  dedicate  sixteen  monuments  which  she  has  cut  from  her 
own  granite  hills  to  commemorate  the  places  where  her  brave  sons  fought 
for  liberty  and  union  in  this  terrific  conflict.  We  have  thanked  thee,  O 
Lord,  this  day  as  we  have  visited  these  monuments  that  the  sons  of  Maine 
during  those  bloody  days  were  true  to  the  principles  which  they  had  sworn 
to  defend;  that  the  banner  which  bore  the  word  “ Dirigo  ” was  ever  in  the 
forefront  of  battle;  and  that  each  regiment,  battery  and  squadron  by  deeds 
of  heroic  valor  honored  the  State  from  which  they  came,  in  all  portions  of 
the  field, — where  great  Reynolds  fell,  where  Custer’s  mad  squadrons 
charged,  in  the  Wheatfield,  the  Peach  Orchard,  Round  Top  and  Cemetery 
Ridge.  They  did  their  duty  well,  and  together  stormed  the  heights  of  mili- 
tary glory  and  renown.  We  thank  thee  that  our  State  has  not  forgotten  her 
brave  sons,  but  has  sent  her  chief  executive  officer  and  other  honored  citi- 
zens to  grace  this  occasion  with  their  presence.  Grant  that  these  monuments 
during  the  years  to  come  may  teach  lessons  of  patriotism  to  the  coming 
generations  and  thus  perpetuate  the  principles  for  which  we  fought.  Bless 
our  State  with  great  prosperity,  and  grant  that  it  may  ever  have  gallant 
sons  to  defend  its  honor  and  integrity.  Bless  our  governor;  grant  that  he 
may  have  wisdom  to  discharge  the  vast  responsibilites  which  rest  upon  him. 
We  pray  to  thee  to  bless  the  State  upon  whose  soil  we  are  assembled,  the 
goodly  State  of  Pennsylvania.  We  remember  in  the  days  of  peril  when  the 
federal  arch  tottered  over  the  belching  volcano  of  treason,  that  the  keystone 
of  the  arch  remained  firm.  Grant  that  its  future  may  be  as  prosperous  as 
the  past;  that  it  may  increase  in  prosperity,  intelligence,  patriotism  and  all 
that  constitutes  greatness  and  power.  Bless  our  country.  We  thank  thee 


560 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


for  its  unparalleled  growth  and  development.  May  thy  care  be  over  every 
section  from  sea  to  sea,  until  its  resources  shall  be  developed,  and  it  become 
the  centre  of  the  nations  of  the  earth,  lifting  them  all  God-ward  with  its 
arms  of  religious  power.  And  now  be  pleased  to  pour  thy  richest  blessings 
upon  the  old  comrades,  the  survivors  of  the  Civil  War.  They  are  scattered 
now;  some  are  poor,  others  sick,  maimed  and  discouraged.  Too  frequently 
they  are  forgotten  and  misunderstood.  But  thou,  Lord,  knowest  all  about 
them.  And  although  some  may  be  wayward  and  wicked,  be  pleased  to 
remember  that  they  were  loyal  to  the  principles  of  Christ,  and  offered  them- 
selves as  a sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  their  country.  Grant  that  the  great 
Christ  may  pour  his  spirit  upon  their  hearts  and  that  through  his  blood  they 
make  the  necessary  preparations  to  meet  him  in  the  heavens.  Bless  all  the 
exercises  of  the  hour.  Lead  us  through  life  and  gather  us  in  heaven  for  the 
Redeemer’s  sake.  Amen. 


ADDRESS  OF  GENERAL  CHARLES  HAMLIN 

PRESENTING  THE  MONUMENTS  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  OF  MAINE. 

It  was  a beautiful  and  solemn  thought  to  dedicate  the  Octo- 
ber fullness  of  this  day  to  the  memory  of  our  fallen  comrades. 
The  rich  fruitage  of  the  harvest  month  is  suggestive  of  the 
unequaled  blessings  we  enjoy  through  a united  government,  in 
whose  defense  they  gave  their  lives,  — a supreme  sacrifice. 

The  place,  too,  reminds  us  that  in  repelling  the  invader  of 
northern  homes  from  the  soil  of  the  Keystone  State,  it  was 
fitting  that  the  soldier  from  the  farthest  east,  — the  Pine  Tree 
State,  — should  be  found  here,  in  the  trembling  and  perilous 
balance  of  the  historic  and  decisive  battle  of  Gettysburg,  defend- 
ing Liberty  and  Union. 

We  do  not  claim  a monopoly  of  the  glory  won  on  this  field  ; 
but  it  is  with  justifiable  pride,  as  we  scan  the  line  occupied  by 
the  living  arch  throughout  the  long  three  days’  contest,  we 
note  the  pivotal  points  made  memorable  by  the  presence  and 
conspicuous  valor  of  Maine  soldiers.  From  right  to  left,  in 
front  and  centre,  the  land  is  enriched  by  their  blood.  Seminary 
Heights,  Emmitsburg  road,  Peach  Orchard,  Wheatfield,  Devil’s 
Den,  the  Round  Tops,  Cemetery  Ridge,  Ziegler’s  Grove,  Stev- 
ens’ Knoll,  Hanover  and  Low  Dutch  roads,  if  they  could  speak, 
all  would  attest  their  bravery. 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


561 


A patriotic  and  generous  people  have  caused  these  monu- 
ments, made  from  the  enduring  granite  of  our  own  hills,  to  be 
erected  to  the  memory  of  their  sons  who  fell  here.  The  liber- 
ality of  the  appropriations  by  the  State  is  a decorous  response 
to  the  desires  of  its  surviving  veterans  and  citizens,  that  the 
deeds  of  their  valiant  dead  shall  be  suitably  perpetuated  on  this, 
the  greatest  monumental  battlefield  of  the  world. 

In  behalf  of  the  commission  to  whom  this  work  has  been 
confided,  and  their  grateful  comrades,  I return  our  thanks  to 
the  State  for  its  appreciative  bounty.  In  their  behalf  I now 
request  our  chief  executive,  the  Governor,  to  accept  the  mon- 
uments from  us,  that  he  may,  in  turn,  deliver  them  to  the 
Association  in  whose  faithful  care  they  will  finally  rest. 


ADDRESS  OF  HON.  EDWIN  C.  BURLEIGH 

GOVERNOR  OF  MAINE 
PRESENTING  THE  MONUMENTS 

TO  THE  GETTYSBURG  BATTLEFIELD  MEMORIAL  ASSOCIATION. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Gettysburg  Battlefield  Memorial  Association: 

The  monuments  which  we  this  day  dedicate  are  in  honor 
of  the  soldiers  of  Maine,  who  fell  here  in  the  bloody  struggle  for 
the  Union  of  the  States  and  for  constitutional  liberty.  These 
memorials  will  perpetuate  not  only  the  glory  of  individuals  but 
also  the  just  fame  of  the  brave  organizations  to  which  they 
belonged.  In  a still  larger  sense  they  will  commemorate  the 
fame  of  the  State  which  tenderly  cherishes  the  memory  of  her 
sons,  who,  in  the  sacred  cause  of  country,  made  the  last  great, 
sacrifice  which  men  can  make  — they  gave  their  lives  ! 

By  the  world’s  common  agreement  the  victory  won  on  this 
battlefield  was  the  crisis  in  the  war  which  was  waged  for  the 
integrity  of  the  Union.  We  come  to  it  now,  — as  millions  will 
come  in  the  future  generations  of  the  Republic,  — to  pay  our 
tribute  to  the  patriotic  endurance,  to  the  lofty  courage,  to  the 
matchless  heroism  which  forever  consecrated  the  ground  upon 
which  we  stand. 


562 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


God  grant  that-  if  danger  shall  ever  again  menace  our  beloved 
country,  the  example  of  the  brave  men  who  lie  here  will  inspire 
the  hearts  and  nerve  the  arms  of  our  descendants  who  shall 
inherit  and  enjoy  the  greatness  and  the  grandeur  of  the  insep- 
arable Union  of  the  States. 

Gentlemen,  it  gives  me  great  pleasure,  in  behalf  of  the  State 
of  Maine,  to  intrust  these  memorials  to  the  care  and  custody  of 
your  worthy  and  patriotic  organization. 

ADDRESS  OF  MAJOR  JOHN  M.  KRAUTH 

FOR  THE  BATTLEFIELD  MEMORIAL  ASSOCIATION 
REPRESENTING  GOVERNOR  BEAVER  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Governor  Burleigh  and  Veteran  Soldiers  of  the  State  of  Maine : 

It  is  a cause  of  deep  regret,  both  on  your  account  and 
mine,  that  the  honored  President  of  the  Gettysburg  Battlefield 
Memorial  Association,  the  Governor  of  this  Commonwealth,  is 
unable  to  be  present  with  you  on  this  impressive  and  interest- 
ing occasion.  But  other  engagements  have  detained  him  much 
to  his  regret.  But,  gentlemen,  the  Battlefield  Memorial  Asso- 
ciation bid  you  a hearty  and  cordial  welcome  here  to-day. 
Permit  me  to  specially  welcome  your  illustrious  and  honored 
guest,  the  venerable  ex-Governor,  Senator  and  Vice-President, 
the  honorable  Hannibal  Hamlin,  a gentleman  in  whom  all  rec- 
ognize a noble  and  constant  friend  of  the  armies  of  the  Union 
as  well  as  the  confidential  associate,  co-laborer  and  co-patriot 
of  the  immortal  Lincoln,  and  one  whom  every  patriot  respects, 
reveres  and  loves  for  his  great  public  services  extended  over 
more  than  a half-century  of  our  Nation’s  life. 

We  welcome  you  because  you  have  made  this  sacred  pil- 
grimage from  your  distant  home  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of 
your  comrades  who  fell  for  the  holiest  of  human  causes,  and  to 
commemorate  the  services  which  you  shared  with  them  in  main- 
taining the  integrity  of  the  Union  and  the  establishment  of 
impartial  liberty  throughout  our  whole  land.  We  welcome  you 
because  you  are  worthy  sons  of  an  honored  State  which  sent 
over  72,000  brave  men  to  battle  for  the  Union,  whose  services 
were  conspicuous  and  illustrious  on  every  battlefield  of  the 


MAJOR  KRAUTH’S  ADDRESS. 


563 


Republic.  We  welcome  you  because  we  are  not  unmindful  of 
the  patriotic  ardor  which  inspired  your  Legislature  and  your 
Excellency  to  grant  generous  appropriations  to  carry  out  and 
consummate  the  object  of  the  Battlefield  Association,  and  we 
express  our  profound  gratitude  and  sincere  thanks  for  the 
encouragement  and  aid  which  your  unselfish  zeal  has  given  to 
our  work. 

But  Maine  did  more  here,  for  which  we  and  every  patriot 
should  be  grateful,  than  even  this.  We  have  not  forgotten  that 
here  at  Gettysburg,  where  treason  and  slavery  threw  down  the 
gage  of  battle  on  the  soil  of  the  free  North,  the  men  of  Maine 
were  omnipresent.  On  that  fateful  first  day  of  July,  when  the 
divisions  of  Heth  and  Pender  and  Rodes,  in  overpowering  num- 
bers, bore  down  upon  the  gallant  men  of  the  First  army  corps, 
Maine  men  were  there ; on  the  second  day,  when  Longstreet 
threw  his  veteran  legions  upon  Sickles’  thin  line,  Maine  men 
were  there ; in  the  thickest  of  the  conflict,  where  the  fighting 
was  fiercest  and  most  deadly  in  the  Wheatfield,  on  Round  Top, 
on  the  Union  right,  on  the  cavalry  field,  Maine  men  were 
there;  and  upon  yonder  plain,  where  rebellion  reached  "high 
water  mark,”  when  the  dauntless  columns  of  Pickett  and 
Pettigrew, 

“Whom  you  faced  with  deathless  valor  on  so  many  Southern  fields,” 
with  fiendish  desperation  delivered  their  terrible,  almost  irre- 
sistible, blow,  Maine  was  grandly  represented.  Men  of  your 
sister  states  stood  with  you,  but  you  were  of  that  grand  and 
honored  corps  which  broke,  scattered  and  destroyed  that  proud, 
defiant,  assaulting  column,  and  proclaimed  to  the  hosts  of 
rebellion,  "Hitherto  shalt  thou  come  and  no  further,  and  here 
shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed.” 

We  cordially  congratulate  you  upon  the  completion  of  these 
chaste  and  beautiful  monuments.  Their  tasteful  and  finished 
forms,  their  simple  but  suggestive  inscriptions,  modestly  tell 
the  story  of  the  patriotic  self-devotion  and  unflinching  loyalty 
to  duty  of  fifteen  organizations  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Union.  These  monuments  tell  of  bravery  and  valor,  but  they 
tell  of  more  than  these,  for  they  tell  of  duty  and  patriotism, 
and  they  summon  all  who  look  upon  them  hereafter  to  answer 


564 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


their  call.  The  Memorial  Association,  in  accepting  these 
enduring  memorials,  appreciate  the  fact  that  their  act  is  no 
unmeaning  ceremony,  but  that  we  are  assuming  a sacred  trust, 
and  one  which  you  rightly  expect  us  to  faithfully  and  conscien- 
tiously execute.  I can  assure  you  that  this  Association  accepts 
these  monuments  in  this  spirit,  and  that  we  will  zealously  guard 
and  protect  them,  and  after  the  work  of  the  present  organization 
shall  be  done,  we  will  transmit  them  to  the  custody  of  a board 
of  directors  who  believe,  with  us,  that  the  principles  for  which 
your  sons  died  were  right,  and  those  against  which  they  fought 
were  deeply  wrong  ; that  if  the  cause  for  which  they  gave  " the 
last  full  measure  of  devotion  ” was  worth  dying  for,  it  is  equally 
worthy  of  eternal  commemoration. 

May  these  classic  monuments  stand  a perpetual  memorial 
to  the  heroism,  courage,  sacrifice  and  patriotism  of  the  noble 
and  gallant  sons  of  Maine,  is  the  earnest  wish  of  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Association  whose  representative  I am  to-day. 


ORATION  BY  GENERAL  SELDEN  CONNOR. 

Governor  Burleigh , Mr.  President , Comrades  and  Friends:  — 

It  is  holy  ground  we  tread  to-day.  As  I stand  before  you, 
Maine  soldiers  of  the  Union  and  of  Gettysburg,  honored  in 
being  your  spokesman,  I should  not  be  true  to  my  duty  if  I 
did  not  first  of  all  give  some  expression  to  the  emotion  these 
scenes  and  this  service  awaken  in  your  hearts,  rilling  them  to 
overflowing, — the  consciousness  that  we  are  here  pressing  with 
our  footsteps  soil  hallowed  by  the  life-blood  of  thousands  of  our 
comrades.  A few  short  years  and  Gettysburg  will  be  but  a 
cold  abstraction,  void  of  that  warm  human  interest  which  has 
moved  us  to  our  pilgrimage  hither ; though  memorable  and 
glorious  this  historic  field  is  destined  to  remain  as  long  as  men 
prize  liberty,  a conspicuous  landmark  in  the  grand  route  of 
human  progress,  a commanding  monument  in  the  nation’s 
pathway. 

Here  was  the  culmination  and  turning  point  of  the  gigantic 
conflict  which,  by  common  consent,  was  to  determine  the  fate 
of  free  popular  government.  For  three  days  the  life  of  a nation, 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


565 


the  triumph  of  progress  or  reaction,  the  destiny  of  a continent 
hung  balanced  upon  this  spot  of  earth  as  on  a pivot.  When 
the  battle  clouds  that  palled  these  vales  and  slopes  had  rolled 
away,  and  the  silence  and  peace  of  nature  had  returned  to  these 
violated  Helds  and  their  guardian  hills,  the  balance  had  firmly 
settled  to  the  side  of  truth,  justice,  country,  humanity.  The 
arena  of  so  august  an  arbitrament  will  be  memorable  forever. 
The  fame  of  a victory  so  rich  in  blessings  to  all  men  for  all 
time  will  remain  bright  with  a fadeless  glory.  When  the  strug- 
gle of  the  giants  was  ended  and  the  victory  won,  the  lifeless 
forms  of  three  thousand  of  your  comrades  lay  upon  the  field, 
and  of  the  fourteen  thousand  wounded  many  were  so  sorely 
stricken  that  their  remnant  of  life  was  but  a painful  lingering 
for  a few  hours  or  days.  Their  felt,  yet  unseen  presence, 
comrades,  is  the  strongest  and  uppermost  consciousness  within 
us  to-day.  It  seems  as  if  they  had  been  left  on  guard  all  these 
years  and  were  lying  in  solemn,  hushed  bivouac  along  these 
slopes,  faithful  to  their  trust  as  in  the  days  gone  by.  Treas- 
ured and  ineffaceable  memories  of  comradeship,  pride  in  the 
heroism  here  displayed,  regret  at  the  precious  sacrifice  here 
demanded,  lend  to  this  spot  of  earth  where  our  comrades  fell 
and  we  now  walk  in  peace,  a peculiar  consecration  which  will 
last  so  long  as  a comrade  remains  to  press  this  sacred  turf. 
Gallant,  eager  spirits,  flushed  with  the  purple  light  of  youth 
and  inspired  by  its  hopes  and  dreams,  how  truly  may  we  apply 
to  them  the  tribute  paid  to  youthful  heroes  two  thousand  years 
ago  ! " They  have  perished  from  the  city  as  the  spring  from 

the  year.” 

The  soil  soaked  with  their  blood  is  holy  ground,  and  over 
it  like  a mighty  presence  glory  and  gratitude  brood  proudly 
and  lovingly.  For  them  there  are 

“Laurels  of  light  and  tears  of  love  forever  more. 

* * * ****** 

Laurels  of  light  moist  with  the  precious  dew 
Of  the  inmost  heart  of  the  nation’s  loving  heart, 

And  laurels  of  light  and  tears  of  truth 
And  the  mantle  of  immortality; 

And  the  flowers  of  love  and  immortal  youth, 

And  the  tender  heart-tokens  of  all  true  ruth 


566 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


And  the  everlasting  victory! 

And  the  breath  and  bliss  of  liberty; 

And  the  loving  kiss  of  liberty; 

And  the  welcoming  light  of  heavenly  eyes, 

And  the  over-calm  of  God’s  canopy.” 

On  the  30th  of  June  Gen.  Meade,  who  had  been  in  command 
of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  but  two  days,  promulgated  his  order 
notifying  his  army  of  the  expected  battle,  and  in  a few  words 
adverting  to  the  importance  of  the  issues  it  involved.  None 
knew  better  than  he  that  his  words  were  not  needed  to  convey 
information  to  the  men  of  his  army  or  to  impress  upon  them 
the  responsibilities  of  the  hour.  He  knew  that  the  spirit  of  his 
order  pervaded  the  whole  army  from  colonels  to  drummer  boys  ; 
for  it  was  the  army  of  the  Potomac  he  addressed,  — the  pro- 
tector of  the  capital,  the  breastplate  that  covered  the  nation’s 
heart.  Many  and  deep  were  the  wounds  it  had  already  received 
at  that  proud  post  of  honor.  In  the  two  years  of  its  existence 
by  what  arduous  and  terrible  processes  had  it  been  forged  into 
the  thunderbolt  of  war  that  here  displayed  its  power  ! by  what 
experiences  had  the  boys  of  ’61  been  moulded  and  hardened 
into  veterans,  obedient,  patient,  self-reliant,  brave  with  the  high 
courage  that  does  not  shrink  from  known  danger  ! and  the  army 
of  the  Potomac  been  wrought  into  a perfect  organism  as  sensi- 
tive to  the  will  of  its  head  as  the  trained  charger  to  his  master’s 
hand.  "I  am  a Roman  citizen”  was  once  a sufficient  claim  to 
distinction.  An  illustrious  Greek  took  pride  in  the  thought 
that  it  was  " no  mean  city  ” to  which  he  owed  allegiance.  If 
association  can  give  honor  — if  the  glory  of  the  whole  is 
reflected  upon  the  parts,  how  great  honor  and  glory  are  his  who 
can  say,  "I  belonged  to  the  army  of  the  Potomac.”  Of  more 
worth  than  any  measure  of  consideration  that  may  be  meted  out 
to  him  is  that  precious  possession  of  the  soldier  of  the  army  of 
the, "Potomac,  — the  love  and  pride  that  swell  his  breast  at  the 
thought  of  the  grand  old  army  — a thought  which  will  be  to 
him  a joy,  a triumph  and  a consolation  to  his  dying  day. 

The  battle  to  which  Meade’s  order  sounded  the  call  is  the 
best  known  of  all  the  battles  of  the  war.  Many  causes  have 
combined  to  make  it  such.  It  was  the  turning  point  of  the  war 
and  its  greatest  battle.  It  was  the  battle  that  came  nearest  home 


GENERAL  CONNOR’S  ORATION. 


567 


to  the  country.  The  enemy  was  putting  some  of  the  richest 
portions  of  our  territory  under  contribution,  and  his  presence 
and  boldness  were  carrying  alarm  to  great  cities  that  had  never 
entertained  the  thought  of  being  included  in  the  theatre  of 
war,  and  arousing  apprehension  throughout  the  whole  country. 
From  a military  point  of  view  the  battle  has  been  an  exception- 
ally interesting  and  instructive  study  to  the  soldier  and  the 
student  of  the  art  of  war,  and  many  valuable  treatises  upon  it 
have  resulted  from  their  labors.  It  was  designedly  and  delib- 
erately fought  by  both  armies.  The  scene  of  the  duel  was  the 
open  country  and  the  events  of  the  tragic  drama  were  so  sepa- 
rated and  correlated  as  to  be  readily  followed  and  understood. 

If  aught  else  were  wanting  to  set  an  imperial  and  imperish- 
able seal  of  fame  upon  Gettysburg,  the  consummate  act  was 
performed  by  that  wise  ruler,  that  great  and  true-hearted  man, 
the  noblest  product  of  our  time,  Abraham  Lincoln.  There  was 
a dramatic  fitness  in  his  presence  here  in  honor  of  those  who 
filled  the  measure  of  the  service  to  which  he  had  called  them 
by  a soldier’s  death  upon  the  field.  Though  it  was  not  his 
privilege  to  range  his  armies  in  order  of  battle,  to  launch  them 
against  his  people’s  enemies  and,  under  the  stress  of  duty,  to 
woo  amid  the  wild  turmoil  of  the  conflict  a glorious  release  from 
the  never-ending  labors,  the  infinite  anxieties  and  sore  heart- 
aches of  the  great  task  that  was  set  for  him,  he  was  none  the 
less  the  commander-in-chief,  giving  to  the  functions  of  that 
high  office  as  close  and  unremitting  care  as  if  he  had  been  an 
officer  of  the  guard  in  the  near  presence  of  the  enemy.  Some- 
times during  the  war  there  were  murmurs  of  dissatisfaction  at 
the  restraints  exercised  at  Washington  upon  the  movements 
of  the  armies,  and  subsequent  criticism  has  been  severe  upon 
the  administration  for  its  interference  in  military  affairs.  But 
whatever  opinions  may  be  held  as  to  the  wisdom  or  unwisdom 
of  the  specific  exercises  of  his  authority,  none  can  gainsay  the 
loyalty  to  duty  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Amid  a multitude  of 
conflicting-  counsels  from  advisers  skilled  in  an  art  he  did  not 
profess,  he  was  ever  mindful  of  the  responsibility  he  could 
not  delegate,  and  decided  upon  the  course  that  his  sagacious 
mind  deemed  the  most  prudent. 


568 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  words  he  uttered  here,  with  a studied  reticence  doubly 
impressive  in  so  great  a master  of  speech,  are  as  a monumental 
inscription  to  be  read  to  remote  generations.  They  breathe 
the  lofty  genius  of  the  battle  in  which  the  existence  of  free 
government  was  at  stake.  As  the  vision  of  the  embattled 
hosts,  the  intermingled  contestants  in  deadly  strife,  of  crags 
and  plains  gloomed  with  the  infernal  incense  of  battle  and  lurid 
with  the  flashing  of  war’s  dreadful  enginery,  of  trampled  fields 
strewn  with  the  dead  and  dying, — rises  before  us,  the  loud 
and  confused  sounds  of  the  strife  seem  the  accompaniment  of 
a mighty  voice  declaring,  like  the  chorus  of  the  ancient  stage, 
the  meaning  of  the  tragedy,  and  proclaiming  " the  government 
of  the  people,  by  the  people,  and  for  the  people  shall  not  perish 
from  the  earth.” 

The  story  of  Gettysburg  has  been  so  well  told  that  it  would 
be  idle  to  attempt  to  here  rehearse  it.  Let  us  but  glance  at 
its  various  features  and  phases  in  order  to  indicate  the  part 
that  Maine  soldiers  bore  in  the  action.  " Indicate  ” is  the  word, 
because  within  the  limits  imposed  by  this  occasion  no  adequate 
account  of  the  services  of  Maine  regiments  and  batteries  could 
be  given.  Their  deeds,  if  recited  with  the  Homeric  minuteness 
and  fidelity  which  Kinglake  has  bestowed  upon  the  exploits  of 
his  English  heroes  in  the  Crimean  war,  would  fill  a bulky  vol- 
ume with  shining  pages.  No  one  man  can  tell  the  whole  story 
which  we  and  coming  generations  would  know.  The  battle 
already  has  its  Napiers,  Jominis  and  Bancrofts.  We  are  not 
waiting  for  the  historian  to  arise,  but  we  may  well  fear  that  the 
casualties  of  time  are  daily  taking  from  us  many  a man  who 
leaves  untold  the  heroic  saga  of  his  personal  share  in  those 
eventful  July  days, — a tale  that  may  seem  simple  and  void  of 
interest  to  him,  but  which  would  be  of  precious  worth  to  his 
countrymen  to  all  time. 

What  men  will  want  most  to  know  of  Gettysburg  is  how  it 
seemed  to  the  thinking  brains  and  throbbing  hearts  that  made 
up  the  soulless  mechanism  of  war  whose  volition  was  the  will 
of  the  commanding  officer ; to  the  man  who,  grasping  sword 
or  musket,  awaited  the  coming  onset  with  swiftly  flashing, 
agonizing  thoughts  of  home  and  friends  and  sweet,  familiar 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


569 


haunts  of  peace,  and  of  the  dread  possibilities  of  the  minutes 
close  upon  him,  nerving  his  being  to  do  and  dare  as  country, 
honor  and  duty  called ; and  who  met  the  foe  with  a fierce 
hatred,  a sickening  fear  that  they  might  prevail  in  spite  of  all 
that  he  and  his  comrades  could  do  to  overmaster  them,  and  a 
wild  longing  to  command  some  fell  destruction  to  sweep  them 
from  the  face  of  the  earth.  Let  this  occasion,  comrades,  inspire 
you  with  the  purpose  to  give  enduring  form  to  your  recollec- 
tions of  your  army  life  that  posterity  may  have  fuller  knowledge 
of  the  splendid  army  to  which  you  belonged,  of  the  character 
and  spirit  of  the  men  who  composed  it  and  of  their  deeds  and 
sacrifices.  Such  testimony,  giving  as  it  must  an  insight  to  the 
toils  and  sufferings  of  the  individual  soldier,  will  show  how 
dreadful  a thing  is  war  and  enforce  the  lesson  that  it  can  be 
glorious  only  when  it  serves  a cause  so  high  and  noble  as  to 
countervail  the  extreme  of  human  misery.  Many  notable 
instances  will  occur  to  you  of  comrades  who  have  done  their 
duty  well  with  tongue  and  pen  as  once  with  sword  or  musket. 
They  should  be  many  times  multiplied  in  the  few  years  of  life 
and  memory  that  remain  to  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 

On  the  morning  of  July  1st  General  Buford  with  his  cavalry 
command  encountered  the  advance  of  Hill’s  corps  of  Lee’s 
army.  He  gallantly  held  them  in  check  and  sent  back  for  aid 
to  Reynolds,  who  was  promptly  on  the  field  with  Wadsworth’s 
division  to  which  was  attached  Hall’s  Second  Maine  Battery. 
There  was  work  at  hand  for  the  new-comers  and  at  once.  The 
Second  Maine  Battery  was  placed  by  Reynolds  in  person  in  a 
position  from  which  a battery  of  the  cavalry  division  had  just 
been  withdrawn,  and  there  for  half  an  hour  Hall  held  his  ground 
with  his  six  guns,  returning  the  fire  of  seventeen  pieces  which 
the  enemy  brought  to  bear  upon  him  and,  in  default  of  infantry 
support  on  his  right,  defending  himself  against  the  enemy’s 
infantry  with  double-shotted  canister.  The  contest  became  too 
unequal  to  continue.  Rained  upon  by  artillery  and  musketry 
Hall  withdrew  all  his  guns,  the  enemy  so  close  upon  him  that 
six  horses  of  the  rear  piece  were  bayoneted  and  the  gun  would 
have  been  lost  but  for  the  timely  advance  of  infantry.  Eighteen 
men  wounded,  thirty-eight  horses  killed,  the  commander’s  own 


570 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


horse  shot  under  him,  and  three  pieces  disabled,  prove  more 
eloquently  than  any  words  how  well  they  held  their  post  in  the 
forefront  of  the  desperate  fight  on  that  brave  day  when  the 
gallant  Reynolds  met  a soldier’s  death  and  the  First  corps  stub- 
bornly held  the  field  against  overwhelming  numbers,  confident 
that  their  comrades  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  were  pressing 
forward  to  aid  them. 

The  Sixteenth  Maine  was  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  line 
of  the  First  corps.  Such  a position  is  sufficiently  trying  under 
ordinary  circumstances,  subject  as  it  is  to  being  overlapped  by 
the  enemy  and  thus  to  be  exposed  to  a fire  in  flank  and  reverse. 
The  Sixteenth  not  only  had  this  danger  to  encounter  from  Hill’s 
forces  in  front,  but  when  Ewell  came  on  the  field  from  the 
north  his  forces  bore  down  directly  upon  its  flank  with  the  fire 
of  thirty  pieces  of  artillery  supporting  his  attack.  The  Eleventh 
corps,  formed  at  a right  angle  to  the  line  of  the  First,  left  a 
gap  between  its  left  and  the  right  of  the  First  and  through  it 
Ewell’s  men  poured  in.  The  devoted  regiment,  thrust  like  a 
lance  head  into  the  very  midst  of  the  enemy  swarming  from 
the  west  and  the  north,  remained  steadfast  at  its  post.  Tilden 
and  his  men  were  surrounded  and  swept  away  to  undergo  the 
horrors  of  Southern  prisons.  Retreat,  when  practicable,  would 
have  been  dishonor.  Who  will  deny  to  them  a generous  share 
in  the  final  victory  over  an  enemy  thinned  by  their  volleys  and 
taught  discretion  by  their  firmness  ? 

When  the  shattered  battalions  of  the  First  and  Eleventh 
corps  were  driven  back  through  the  town,  Hall’s  battery  deliv- 
ered a Parthian  fire  from  time  to  time  as  it  retired  through  the 
streets,  and  kept  the  pursuers  at  a respectful  distance.  At  the 
same  time  Stevens’  Fifth  Maine  battery,  which  had  been  posted 
near  the  Seminary,  found  the  opportunity  it  had  been  waiting 
for  and  wrought  fearful  execution  upon  the  lines  of  the  advanc- 
ing enemy,  saving  precious  time  for  the  formation  of  the  new 
line  on  Cemetery  Heights,  though  at  a great  cost  to  itself. 

The  Fifth  battery  withdrew  through  the  town  and  ascending 
Cemetery  Hill  was  met  by  Hancock,  who  called  out  for  " the 
captain  of  this  brass  battery  ” and  ordered  him  to  plant  his  guns 
where  he  could  stop  the  enemy  from  coming  up  the  ravine. 


general  Connor's  oration. 


571 


His  six  Napoleons  were  not  long  in  opening  fire  and  they 
maintained  it  so  diligently  and  effectively  as  to  check  the 
advance  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter.  Colonel  Bachelder  has 
properly  recognized  the  great  service  done  by  this  battery  on 
the  first  and  second  days  by  bestowing  the  name  of  its  com- 
mander on  the  ground  it  occupied  — the  spot  now  known  as 
"Stevens’ Knoll.” 

On  the  second  day  the  long-expected  blow  fell  heavily  on 
Birney’s  division  of  Sickles’  corps,  comprising  the  brigades 
of  Graham,  Ward  and  de  Trobriand.  Maine  was  nobly  repre- 
sented in  that  fighting  line  though  our  State  had  but  a single 
regiment  in  each  brigade.  Lakeman  with  his  Ivennebeckers, 
the  Third  Maine,  the  regiment  which  Howard  took  to  the 
front  and  Heath  was  promoted  from  to  meet,  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  Fifth,  an  early  and  lamented  death  at  Gaines’ 
Mill,  was  temporarily  detached  from  comradeship  with  the 
Fourth  in  Ward’s  brigade  and  assigned  to  Graham.  With  him 
they  held  the  Peach  Orchard,  the  famous  angle  of  Sickles’ 
much-criticised  line,  until  crushed  by  converging  and  cross 
fires,  "wrapped  in  a vortex  of  fire,”  says  the  Comte  de  Paris, 
outflanked  and  overwhelmed,  the  remnant  of  the  defenders  of 
an  untenable  position  was  driven  back,  scattered  and  confused, 
to  recover  the  touch  of  elbows  on  the  true  line  of  battle.  The 
centre  of  Birney’s  line  was  held  by  de  Trobriand,  with  whom 
was  the  Seventeenth  under  Merrill ; and  Ward’s  brigade  com- 
pleted the  line  to  the  foot  of  Round  Top,  the  Fourth  Maine, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Walker,  constituting  the  extreme  left. 
No  intelligent  follower  of  the  events  of  the  battle  can  fail  to 
concede  to  these  two  brigades  the  high  praise  accorded  to  them 
with  unanimous  voice  by  every  historian  of  the  fight.  If  Long- 
street  had  succeeded  at  his  onset  in  breaking  Birney’s  line,  the 
way  was  open  to  him  to  a lodgment  in  the  centre  of  Meade’s 
position.  But  he  had  to  do  with  Kearny’s  men,  and  the 
wearers  of  the  red  lozenge  were  not  accustomed  to  break  at 
the  touch  of  the  enemy.  It  was  their  line  and  they  proposed 
to  stay  by  it,  though  there  was  not  a regiment  in  reserve  to 
which  they  might  look  for  help.  The  confident  onslaught 
of  Hood’s  brigades  was  as  confidently  met.  Not  until  the  rebel 


572 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


reserves  were  brought  forward  did  those  staunch  brigades  give 
way,  and  then  only  as  they  were  compelled  by  sheer  weight  of 
outnumbering  assailants,  who  were  made  to  pay  dearly  for 
every  inch  of  ground  gained.  So  stubborn  was  their  resist- 
ance that  Meade,  who  had  not  looked  for  the  attack  to  fall 
upon  his  left  and  therefore  had  made  no  provision  to  meet  it, 
was  afforded  time  to  bring  up  reinforcements.  Our  two  regi- 
ments did  their  full  share  of  the  good  work  of  their  brigades. 
In  the  annals  of  the  Seventeenth  the  Wheatfield  which  it 
held  until  relieved,  though  taken  in  flank  and  grievously 
torn,  has  a conspicuous  place.  The  regiment  which  had  been 
trained  by  Beny,  that  capable  soldier  whose  merits  had  gained 
him  high  command  and  would  have  advanced  him  to  greater 
distinction  had  not  Chancellorsville  numbered  him  among  its 
victims,  the  Fourth  Maine,  formed  the  left  of  the  line  and 
wrought  havoc  with  their  blazing  rifles  among  the  gray-clad 
swarms  that  sought  to  dislodge  them  from  the  weird  rocks  and 
hollows  of  Devil’s  Den. 

There  are  sometimes  in  the  affairs  of  men  occurrences  which 
so  tend  to  favor  some  end  of  supreme  moment  as  to  forbid  the 
thought  that  they  are  merely  accidental,  and  to  cause  them  to 
seem  the  direct  offspring  of  a superhuman  intelligence,  a signal 
manifestation  of  a divine  purpose,  and  are  therefore  styled  " prov- 
idential.” In  this  high  sense  of  the  word  the  series  of  happen- 
ings on  Little  Round  Top  on  that  eventful  second  of  July  was 
providential.  Human  foresight  and  promptness  of  action,  sol- 
dierly ardor  and  bravery,  and  patriotic  devotion  were  indeed 
grandly  displayed  on  that  eminence  which  offered  itself  that 
day  as  the  prize  of  valor ; but  all  these  would  not  have  availed 
if  the  peculiar  prosperity  attending  them  had  failed  or  been 
marred  in  any  respect.  Fortunate  for  our  arms  was  it  that 
timely  succor  saved  Vincent’s  right.  Fortunate  was  it  too  that 
his  left  was  guarded  by  so  sturdy  a regiment  as  the  Twentieth 
Maine,  under  a commander  so  gallant  and  able  as  Chamberlain  ! 
"Fortunate  ” do  I say?  Is  it  not  easier  to  believe  that  the 
interposition  of  so  many  happy  chances  at  a juncture  so  preg- 
nant with  grave  results  was  heaven-directed  rather  than  fortu- 
itously  bestowed  by  blind  fate?  The  Twentieth  finds  that 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


573 


besides  the  numerous  and  persistent  foes  that  press  upon  it  in 
front  others  are  continually  arriving  on  its  flank,  so  that  the 
left  has  to  be  refused  more  and  more  in  order  to  oppose  a front 
to  them.  There  is  something  malignant  in  this  ever-encircling 
attack,  — something  far  more  dreadful  than  the  annihilation  or 
capture  of  the  little  band  defending  the  height ; it  is  the  deadly 
clutch  it  seeks  to  fasten  upon  the  throat  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  thus  upon  the  life  of  the  nation.  The  sons  of 
Maine  feel  that  the  sternest  command  of  duty  is  laid  upon  them. 
The  defense  of  their  comrades,  the  welfare  of  their  country, 
rests  with  them.  Nobly  do  they  respond  to  the  call.  The 
Pine  swings  against  the  Palm.  At  Chamberlain’s  command 
they  leap  forward,  tiger-like,  to  the  charge,  and  Little  Round 
Top  is  saved. 

When  the  disaster  which  the  character  of  Sickles’  line  invited 
had  befallen  it,  and  the  angle  at  the  Peach  Orchard  was  broken 
in,  making  an  opening  for  the  advance  of  Longstreet’s  brigades, 
some  of  which  fell  upon  the  flank  of  Birney’s  division  and  the 
divisions  of  the  Fifth  and  Second  corps  which  had  come  to  his 
assistance,  while  Barksdale  moved  directly  forward  upon  the 
centre  of  Meade’s  position ; when  Humphreys,  threatened  in 
the  reverse  by  Longstreet’s  forces,  and  attacked  upon  his  right 
by  a division  of  Hill’s  corps,  was  forced  back,  there  was  no 
continuous  Union  line  in  position  to  relieve  the  broken  line 
falling  back  and  receive  its  oncoming  pursuers.  The  situation 
was  a critical  one.  Meade  and  Hancock  were  making  the  most 
strenuous  efforts  to  bring  troops  from  the  right  to  complete  a 
new  line.  In  this  emergency  the  artillery  is  energetically  and 
effectively  at  work  to  disconcert  the  attack.  McGilvery  has 
placed  the  remnants  of  his  batteries  brought  off  from  the  vicinity 
of  the  Peach  Orchard  in  an  advantageous  position,  and,  in  the 
words  of  Gen.  Hunt,  " with  these  and  Dow’s  Sixth  Maine  bat- 
tery, fresh  from  the  reserve,  the  pursuit  was  checked.” 

The  Sixth  battery  was  not  the  only  Maine  organization  that 
took  part  in  the  repulse  of  this  dangerous  attack.  The  Nine- 
teenth Maine,  Col.  Heath,  had  been  placed  by  Hancock  in 
advance  of  his  main  line  as  soon  as  he  perceived  that  Sickles’ 
line  was  beginning  to  give  way.  The  rearward  movement  of 


574 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Humphreys’  division  carried  a portion  of  his  line  over  the  men 
of  the  Nineteenth  who  were  lying  down  until  their  turn  should 
come.  As  soon  as  these  hard-pressed  men  had  passed,  the 
Nineteenth  was  on  its  feet  barring  with  solid  and  undaunted 
front  the  way  of  the  rebel  line.  Scarce  fifty  paces  from  them 
is  it  when  the  Nineteenth,  with  a fire  by  battalion,  brings  it  to 
a halt.  A deadly  interchange  of  firing  ensues  in  the  midst  of 
which  Heath’s  attention  is  called  to  a rebel  regiment  on  his 
left,  and  only  a score  of  yards  from  it,  deploying  from  double 
column.  A part  of  Captain  Starbird’s  left  company  is  thrown 
back  and  opens  an  enfilading  fire  before  which  the  surprised 
column  melts  away.  The  Nineteenth  falls  back  a short  distance 
upon  the  false  report  that  its  right  is  being  turned ; learning 
its  mistake  it  goes  forward  beyond  its  former  position,  captures 
many  prisoners,  recovers  several  guns,  and  occupies  an  advanced 
position  through  the  night. 

Change  now  the  scene  to  the  right.  The  Fifth  Maine  bat- 
tery is  posted  at  the  head  of  the  ravine  separating  Cemeteiy 
Hill  from  Culp’s  Hill.  Ewell’s  attack  on  these  positions  was 
intended  to  be  simultaneous  with  that  on  our  left  and  centre, 
but  that  on  Cemeteiy  Hill  falls  later,  when  but  little  daylight 
is  left.  Col.  Alexander,  Longstreet’s  Chief  of  Artillery,  writ- 
ing of  the  charge  of  his  batteries  after  the  crushing  of  our  line 
at  the  Peach  Orchard,  says  : " An  artillerist’s  heaven  is,  after 
a tough  resistance,  to  follow  the  routed  enemy  and  throw  shells 
and  canister  into  their  disorganized  and  fleeing  masses.”  1 
fancy  Stevens  could  rejoin  that  there  is  a sterner  joy  in  raking 
with  canister,  at  short  range,  hostile  battalions  exposing  their 
flanks  as  they  make  their  slow  way  up  a steep  acclivity,  climb- 
ing to  the  attack  ; for  then  the  artillerist  feels  that  the  insulting 
enemy  is  delivered  into  his  hands,  and  that,  as  the  ranks  go 
down  under  his  fire,  he  is  not  merely  destroying  the  foe,  but 
defending  his  menaced  comrades.  Such  an  opportunity  had 
the  Fifth  battery  when  the  brigades  of  Hoke  and  Avery  assaulted 
Cemetery  Hill,  and  well  was  it  improved.* 


* Captain  Stevens  was  severely  wounded  in  the  afternoon  of  the  2d.  Lieut.  Edward 
N.  Whittier  commanded  the  battery  when  it  aided  so  effectively  in  the  repulse  of 
Hoke  and  Avery. 


GENERAL  CONNOR’S  ORATION. 


575 


As  the  evening  gloom  crept  over  the  field  and  the  fragments 
of  the  bathed  regiments  of  assault,  having  done  all  that  brave 
men  could  do,  had  fallen  back  from  their  attempts  against  our 
right,  left,  and  centre,  the  rebel  commanders  scanned  the  ridge 
they  had  vainly  sought  to  gain,  to  find  encouragement  for  a 
renewed  attack.  The  sight  was  not  inviting  to  them.  From 
Round  Top  to  Culp’s  Hill  dark  lines  and  masses  of  men  and 
rows  of  grim  batteries  betokened  a composure  and  readiness 
they  did  not  deem  it  advisable  to  disturb  or  challenge.  The 
full  significance  of  that  array  they  did  not  know.  Sedgwick 
was  there,  and  the  Greek  cross  was  aligned  with  the  disk, 
the  trefoil,  the  diamond,  the  cross  of  Malta,  the  crescent  and 
the  star. 

The  Sixth  corps,  summoned  at  midnight,  had  marched 
through  the  night  and  steadily  bn  through  the  long,  hot  sum- 
mer day  and  formed  upon  the  field,  thirty  miles  from  their 
bivouac,  just  in  time  to  aid  in  repelling  the  attack  had  there 
been  need.  Its  presence  gave  cheer  and  renewed  courage  to 
the  whole  army.  The  Fifth,  Sixth  and  Seventh  Maine  regi- 
ments were  proud  to  own  the  badge  of  that  corps. 

With  the  dawn  of  the  third  and  last  day  of  the  battle  the 
struggle  is  renewed  by  Slocum  and  his  Twelfth  corps.  The 
enemy  had  taken  advantage  of  the  opportunity  to  establish 
themselves  in  that  portion  of  the  position  which  the  Twelfth 
had  left  to  go  to  the  support  of  the  centre.  After  four  hours 
of  musketry  as  incessant  as  the  rolling  of  a drum  the  Twelfth 
re-occupied  its  works.  In  the  meantime  Slocum  requested  Neill, 
whose  brigade  of  the  Sixth  corps  was  on  Powers’  Hill,  to  send 
troops  to  protect  his  right  and  the  Baltimore  Pike  south  of 
Rock  Creek,  from  the  enemy  moving  in  that  direction.  Neill 
entrusted  that  service  to  the  43d  N.  Y.  and  the  Seventh  Maine, 
under  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Seventh.  Those  regiments 
met  with  some  loss  from  the  brisk  fire  of  skirmishers  as  they 
advanced  at  a run  over  the  crest  and  down  the  slope  of  an  open 
field  to  a stone-wall  which  afforded  an  advantageous  position  ; 
and  here,  forming  the  extreme  right  of  the  infantry  line  of  the 
army,  they  remained  throughout  the  day,  under  orders  to  hold 
the  position  but  not  to  bring  on  fighting,  their  skirmishers 
exchanging  an  occasional  shot  with  those  of  the  enemy. 


576 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  Nineteenth  was  the  only  Maine  regiment  which  had  an 
opportunity  to  participate  in  the  magnificent  repulse  given 
Pickett’s  magnificent  charge.  As  his  imposing  array  came  on 
in  such  numbers  and  with  such  audacity  and  air  of  power  as  to 
cause  the  boldest  to  hold  his  breath,  it  struck  the  Second  corps 
at  an  angle  which  enabled  the  Nineteenth  to  pour  an  almost 
flanking  fire  upon  it.  The  weight  of  the  charge  falls  upon 
Webb’s  brigade  with  a crushing  force.  With  one  accord  the 
regiments  on  Webb’s  left,  the  Nineteenth  among  them,  rush, 
regardless  of  order,  to  his  assistance  — a mob,  but  a fighting 
mob,  against  which  Pickett’s  onset  expends  its  fury  in  vain. 
Col.  Hall,  who  commanded  an  adjoining  brigade,  in  his  report 
names  the  Nineteenth  amoiu  those  regiments  that  assisted  in 
the  repulse. 

The  First  Maine  Cavaliy  was  in  the  splendid  cavalry  action 
on  the  right  in  which  Custer  bore  so  brilliant  a part.  Though 
not  actively  engaged,  it  aided  by  its  presence  in  thwarting  the 
doubly  futile  purpose  of  the  rebel  cavalry  to  reach  the  Baltimore 
Pike,  and  there  work  their  will  on  the  mob  of  broken  troops 
that  were  expected  to  crowd  that  avenue  of  retreat,  fleeing  before 
Pickett’s  irresistible  charge.  In  the  campaign  preliminary  to  the 
battle  the  First  cavalry  rendered  distinguished  service  : notably 
in  the  great  cavalry  battle  at  Brandy  Station  which  won  for  our 
horsemen  a lasting  prestige,  and  in  the  fight  at  Aldie,  — a name 
suggestive  of  glory  and  sorrow,  of  the  chivalrous  charge  that 
rescued  comrades  from  imminent  peril,  and  of  the  fall  of  the 
valiant  Douty.  The  Fifth  and  Sixth,  as  trusty  and  war-tried 
regiments  as  any  that  fought  that  field,  rendered  a like  service 
at  Gettysburg,  standing  in  readiness  to  leap  to  any  call,  how- 
ever desperate  the  duty.  Edwards  led  the  Fifth,  and  the  Sixth 
was  under  Burnham,  that  grim  old  warrior,  beloved  by  his  men 
and  honored  by  all  who  knew  his  soldierly  worth ; his  death  in 
the  last  campaign  of  the  war,  following  close  upon  his  well- 
earned  promotion,  added  a shining  name  to  Maine’s  list  of 
patriot  martyrs,  and  his  memory  remains  dear  and  undimmed 
in  the  hearts  of  his  men  and  brother-soldiers.  The  Tenth 
Maine  was  represented  by  a detachment  at  the  headquarters  of 
the  Twelfth  corps. 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


577 


Such,  in  meagre  outline,  was  the  part  of  Maine  in  the 
greatest  battle  of  the  war.  In  proportion  to  the  number  of 
her  troops  in  the  action,  no  one  of  the  eighteen  states  whose 
regiments  flew  the  stars  and  stripes  on  this  hard-fought  field 
contributed  more  than  Maine  to  the  victory.  It  is  somewhat 
remarkable  that  seven  of  her  nine  infantry  regiments  in  the 
army,  and  all  three  batteries,  were  in  the  front  line  and  that 
the  service  of  so  many  of  them  was  of  a unique  character,  hav- 
ing an  important  bearing  upon  the  grand  result.  At  whatever 
point  the  battle  raged,  sons  of  the  Pine  Tree  State  were  in  the 
melee.  The  sad  measure  of  their  services  is  the  loss  they  suf- 
fered. In  military  parlance  the  word  conventionally  used  to 
express  severity  of  loss  is  "decimated.”  When  one-tenth  of  a 
battalion  is  struck  down  it  implies  bloody  work.  Colonel  Fox, 
in  his  valuable  work  on  Regimental  Losses,  gives  the  percent- 
age of  loss  in  killed  and  mortally  wounded  at  Gettysburg  of 
the  Sixteenth  and  Twentieth  Maine  as  ten  per  cent  each  ; of  the 
Fourth,  thirteen  per  cent ; of  the  Third,  fourteen  per  cent, 
and  of  the  Nineteenth,  fifteen  per  cent.  The  corresponding 
percentage  of  loss  of  the  Seventeenth,  derived  from  other 
sources,  was  twelve  per  cent.  The  entire  loss  to  Maine  was 
one  thousand  and  twenty-three.  Of  this  number  three  hundred 
and  two  were  reported  captured  or  missing  and  of  these  all  but 
nineteen  were  reported  by  the  Third,  Fourth  and  Sixteenth; 
and  their  loss  under  this  head  testifies  to  the  good  conduct  of 
those  regiments  and  proves  how  tenaciously  they  clung  to  their 
difficult  and  exposed  posts ; the  Sixteenth,  as  we  have  seen, 
was  sacrificed  almost  to  a man  while  holding  the  right  of  the 
line  on  the  first  day  ; the  Third  was  at  the  Peach  Orchard  angle 
where,  says  Fox,  "the  tenacity  with  which  the  Third  Maine 
held  the  skirmish  line  is  worthy  of  note” ; the  Fourth  was  for 
a time  in  an  isolated  position,  occupying  the  ravine  between 
Devil’s  Den  and  Little  Round  Top,  and  was  the  left  of  the  line 
until  the  Twentieth  stood  on  Little  Round  Top.  The  Maine 
regiment  which  suffered  most  in  killed  and  wounded  was,  as 
might  be  expected  from  its  share  in  meeting  the  attacks  on  the 
centre  on  the  second  and  third  days,  the  Nineteenth.  Of 
the  four  hundred  and  forty  taken  into  engagement  it  lost  one 


578 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


hundred  and  ninety-nine,  only  seven  of  which  number  were 
reported  as  captured  or  missing.  The  percentage  of  entire  loss 
was  forty-four.  To  show  by  comparison  the  severity  of  such 
losses  as  this  Colonel  Fox  cites  the  Light  Brigade,  whose  loss 
in  its  famous  charge  at  Balaklava  was  but  thirty-six  per  cent. 
The  brigade  to  which  the  Nineteenth  belonged  suffered  the 
severest  loss  in  this  battle  that  any  brigade  of  the  Union  armies 
incurred  in  any  one  action  of  the  war.  The  percentage  of  loss 
was  sixty-one.  The  highest  percentage  of  loss  of  any  German 
regiment  in  the  Franco-Prussian  war  was  forty-nine. 

Maine’s  contribution  to  the  army  of  the  Potomac  at  Gettys- 
burg in  general  officers  was  a notable  one.  Gen.  Seth  Williams, 
Adjutant-General,  and  Rufus  Ingalls,  Quartermaster-General, 
were  so  identified  with  that  army,  while  commanding  officers 
came  and  went,  as  to  seem  inseparable  from  it.  Howard,  an 
officer  of  the  regular  army,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  went  to 
the  front  from  his  native  State  as  Colonel  of  the  Third  Maine. 
The  duty  that  here  devolved  upon  him  was  an  extremely  trying 
one.  At  the  moment  of  his  arrival  he  found  himself  in  com- 
mand at  the  height  of  a serious  engagement  with  a constantly 
increasing  force  of  the  enemy.  Whatever  claims  may  be  urged 
for  credit  in  selecting  Cemetery  Hill  as  the  main  position  of 
the  army,  the  fact  remains  that  Howard  took  possession  of  the 
hill  with  a division  of  his  corps  and  made  such  preparations  for 
defending  it  that  the  First  and  Eleventh  corps  found  it  a secure 
rallying  point,  so  formidable  as  to  cause  the  victorious  enemy 
to  pause  even  in  the  full  flush  of  their  advantage.  This  height, 
the  head  and  front  of  the  Union  position,  Howard  bravely  and 
skilfully  kept  throughout  the  battle.  Caldwell,  first  Colonel 
of  the  Eleventh  Maine,  commanded  the  first  division  of  the 
Second  corps.  The  assistance  his  four  brigades  gave  the  left 
when  Birney  had  been  driven  back  was  among  the  most  promi- 
nent events  of  the  battle.  A.  P.  Howe,  of  the  regular  service, 
and  Adelbert  Ames,  first  Colonel  of  the  Twentieth  Maine, 
commanded  divisions.  Colonel  McGilvery  handled  his  artillery 
brigade  in  a conspicuously  brilliant  and  effective  manner. 
Major  Charles  Hamlin,  A.  A.  G.  of  Humphreys’  division  of 
the  Third  corps,  and  Capt.  John  Marshall  Brown,  A.  A.G.  of 


GENERAL  CONNOR’S  ORATION. 


579 


Ames’  brigade  in  the  Eleventh  corps,  received  the  commenda- 
tion of  their  commanding  officers  for  their  services  and  conduct 
throughout  the  battle.  Major  Thomas  W.  Hyde  was  Provost 
Marshal  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Sedgwick,  and  Lieut. -Col.  Joseph 
S.  Smith  was  Commissary  of  Hancock’s  corps.  All  these  staff 
officers  were  general  officers  by  brevet  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
Gen.  Lysander  Cutler,  whose  brigade  of  the  First  corps  fought 
so  long  on  the  first  day,  passed  so  many  years  of  his  life  in 
active  business  in  our  State  as  to  give  her  strong-  claim  to  him. 
If  Maine  could  appropriate  to  her  own  honor  the  soldiers  of 
Gettysburg  who  had  their  birth  and  breeding  on  her  soil,  and 
were  schooled  at  her  homes  in  the  hardy  virtues  that  glorify 
American  manhood ; if  she  could  call  to  her  own  standard  her 
stalwart  sons  who  went  from  the  dark  forests  of  the  Penobscot, 
the  Kennebec  and  the  Androscoggin  to  the  pineries  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota ; and  from  her 
rugged  hillside  farms  to  the  prairies  of  the  West;  and  those 
who  had  sought  to  better  their  fortunes  in  the  cities  and  towns 
of  her  sister  states  of  New  England  — all  who  were  enrolled  in 
the  organizations  of  their  adopted  states  and  fought  under  the 
same  broad  banner  of  the  Union,  how  long  her  line  would 
stretch  and  what  increased  splendor  of  achievement  and  sacri- 
fice would  flash  from  her  scutcheon  ! 

Cut  from  the  granite  of  our  native  hills,  we  bring  hither 
memorials  of  valor  and  patriotism  and  implant  them  on  the 
soil  — thank  God  ! — of  our  common  country.  Each  marks  a 
spot  where  sons  of  Maine  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  facing  the 
enemy,  their  misguided  countrymen,  ranged  in  arms  to  destroy 
the  country  won  by  the  blood  of  their  fathers,  and  proved  by 
the  test  of  well-nigh  a hundred  years  to  be  the  best  hope  of 
mankind.  Pillar  and  shaft  and  block,  so  long  as  time  shall 
spare  them  they  will  bear  mute  but  impressive  witness  of  the 
glorious  fall  of  those  who  died  the  thrice-blessed  death  of  the 
patriot,  before  the  faces  of  their  fathers  and  under  the  walls  of 
their  country’s  capital.  Inwrought  with  legends  and  with  the 
knightly  emblems  that  were  proudly  worn  by  the  soldiers  of 
the  army  of  the  Potomac  and  graced  the  fluttering  pennons 
of  its  great  leaders,  they  are  instinct  forevermore  with  honor  to 


580 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


the  brave  and  tribute  to  the  chivalrous  spirit  of  the  grandest 
army  that  ever  marched  to  battle.  But  they  will  fail  to  breathe 
the  spirit  of  our  higher  intent  if  they  stand  merely  as  the 
chroniclers  of  a battle  won  ; of  heroes  slain  ; of  a noble  arma- 
ment ; of  a country  saved.  We  dedicate  them  to  the  past  in 
the  fervid  hope  that  the  memories  they  evoke  may  have  immortal 
power  to  keep  alive  and  strengthen  whatever  tends  to  maintain 
this  precious,  blood-bought  country  one,  free,  strong  and  pure. 
With  joy  and  thankfulness  we  hail  these  peaceful,  prosperous, 
happy  days.  Reunited  in  a stronger  bond  by  the  memories  of 
a common  suffering  and  heroism,  the  late  foemen  now  face  the 
same  way  and  move  forward  together  for  the  glory  of  a common 
country.  Everywhere  throughout  the  land  there  is  growth, 
development,  energy,  promise  and  hopefulness.  But  perfect 
harmony,  untroubled  ease,  progress  without  check,  can  never 
rule  in  a great  country  with  widespread  millions  of  people, 
among  complex  interests  and  various  and  constantly  varying 
conditions.  At  each  remove  of  a free  people’s  onward  course 
new  dangers,  hardships  and  difficulties  stimulate  to  renewed 
effort  and  deeper  thought,  test  the  quality  of  the  manhood  and 
citizenship  of  each  generation,  and  thus  lead  on  to  higher  states 
and  nobler  ideals.  O,  troubled  Patriot,  if,  in  the  years  to 
come,  fears  and  forebodings  oppress  your  spirit,  and  the  bur- 
den is  heavy  and  the  way  is  dark,  and  dangers  threaten,  come 
to  this  field  and  stand  among  these  silent  monitors  and  learn 
that  resolved  hearts,  fired  by  a deathless  purpose,  can  make  a 
way  through  the  heaviest  gloom  to  the  fair  sunlight  beyond. 


PRAYER  AND  BENEDICTION,  BY  REV.  G.  R.  PALMER. 

Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  we  acknowledge  thee  as  the  God  “by 
whom  kings  reign  and  princes  decree  justice.”  With  reverence,  contrition 
and  joy  we  approach  thee.  “ Hear  thou  in  heaven,  thy  dwelling-place,  and 
when  thou  hearest  forgive.”  We  thank  thee  for  our  country’s  unusual  des- 
tiny, her  eventful  history,  for  the  men  who  feared  God,  stood  for  the  right, 
sought  freedom  to  worship  God,  and  on  the  shores  of  this  land  drew  their 
first  full  breath  of  liberty. 

We  rejoice  that  our  country  still  lives  and  enjoys  peace,  prosperity  and 
freedom;  that  when  this  young  republic  was  tested  in  fire  and  blood,  brave 
and  true  men  with  an  outburst  of  loyalty  sprang  to  the  defense  of  our  country 


DEDICATION  OF  MONUMENTS. 


581 


and  gave  it  a new  birth  of  liberty,  that  this  government  established  to  secure 
the  equal  rights  of  all  might  help  to  a higher  liberty  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth. 

Through  divine  protection  these  veterans  of  our  army  are  permitted  to 
meet  on  this  field  where  was  fought  a critical  battle  and  achieved  a decisive 
victor}-  for  the  Union  ; and  here  we  acknowledge  thee  alike  in  our  joys  and 
our  sorrows,  and  standing  on  this  hallowed  ground  in  the  midst  of  the  thou- 
sands slain,  we  give  praise  unto  thee  as  in  the  moments  of  our  supreme 
delight.  Be  pleased  to  accept  this  offering  we  bring  to  thee,  these  monu- 
ments made  with  hands  and  by  this  service  declared  sacred,  that  we  may 
honor  thee,  that  we  may  enshrine  anew  in  our  hearts  the  comrades  who  died 
for  our  country,  that  we  may  teach  the  lesson  of  self-sacrifice  to  our  children 
and  our  children’s  children. 

May  the  thought  of  the  sufferings  of  our  soldiers  rebuke  our  impatience 
in  trial,  and  our  desire  for  self-gratification.  May  these  monuments  and  this 
national  burying  place  ever  awaken  holy  emotions  and  lofty  aspirations  in 
the  hearts  of  our  countrymen.  As  we  dedicate  these  memorials  in  honor  of 
loyal  men  who  saved  liberty  on  this  field,  and  many  of  whom  laid  down 
their  lives,  help  us  to  consecrate  ourselves  to  thee  and  to  the  accomplishment 
of  their  unfinished  work,  that  as  they  broke  the  fetters  of  the  slave,  we  may 
unloose  the  chains  that  bind  the  soul,  that  Christian  civilization  may  bring 
the  peoples  of  all  nations  and  religions  in  this  land  we  love  to  undyii  g 
allegiance  to  this  benign  government  of  ours. 

And  thou  who  hast  said  that  “ whatsoever  is  done  to  thy  weakest  and  thy 
humblest  one  is  even  done  to  thee,”  appear  in  behalf  of  the  poor  and 
oppressed  and  wretched  of  our  world.  May  thy  continued  favor  bless  this 
land  where  our  fathers  died.  Let  freedom’s  holy  light  shine  upon  our  way, 
and  everything  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord,  and  rocks  and  hills  their 
silence  break  to  shout  thy  glory  forth,  and  unto  thee,  O God,  will  we  give 
the  praise,  through  Christ,  our  Lord. 

“The  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding,  keep  your  hearts 
and  minds  in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  of  his  son,  Jesus  Christ, 
our  Lord  ; and  the  blessing  of  God  Almighty,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit,  be  among  you  and  remain  with  you  always.  Amen.” 


582 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


SOLDIERS  NATIONAL  CEMETERY. 

BY  G.  W.  VERRILL. 

As  a frontispiece  in  this  volume  the  likeness  of  the  monu- 
ment in  the  Soldiers’  National  Cemetery  at  Gettysburg  is  shown. 
Maine  took  part  in  establishing  this  cemetery  and  erecting  this 
noble  monument,  appropriating  for  the  purpose  the  sum  of 
forty-three  hundred  dollars.  A brief  recital  of  some  of  the  facts, 
which  may  have  been  forgotten,  will  not  be  inappropriate  here. 

The  movement  was  initiated  soon  after  the  battle,  to  secure 
a common  burial  place  for  those  Union  soldiers  who  fell  upon 
that  battlefield,  whose  remains  had  not  been  taken  away  by  their 
relatives  or  friends.  The  various  states  that  had  participating 
troops,  through  their  governors,  selected  commissioners  one 
from  each  state  to  represent  those  states  in  deciding  upon  the 
details,  the  main  features  of  which  were  to  secure  and  lay  out 
suitable  grounds,  remove  the  dead  to  this  final  resting  place, 
erect  a common  memorial  monument  and  provide  for  the  man- 
agement and  care  of  the  grounds. 

Maine  was  represented  by  Benj.  W.  Norris  as  her  commis- 
sioner. The  beautiful  site  of  Cemetery  Hill  was  selected  and 
about  seventeen  acres,  adjoining  the  local  cemetery  and  extend- 
ing from  Baltimore  pike  to  the  Taneytown  road,  were  purchased. 
The  plan  of  interment  was  in  concentric  rows  as  around  a centre, 
the  distance  of  a semi-circle.  The  separate  sections  or  lots 
appropriated  to  each  state  made  segments  of  the  semi-circle. 
At  the  centre  of  the  semi-circle  a worthy  monument  was  to 
stand. 

The  work  of  disinterment,  identifying,  cotfining  and  removal 
began  October  27,  1863.  The  whole  number  then  re-buried 
was  3,512. 

In  this  hallowed  ground  104  bodies  identified  as  belonging 
to  Maine  were  placed.  In  addition  she  has  her  share  of  the 
970  that  could  secure  no  further  recognition  than  the  fact  of 
being  Union  soldiers  who  freely  gave  their  lives  to  the  cause  ; 


SOLDIERS  NATIONAL  CEMETERY. 


583 


these  also  are  carefully  placed  here  with  honors  equal  to  the 
others.  The  names  of  1,699  of  those  buried  here  are  unknown, 
but  nearly  half  of  these  were  traced  to  the  states  to  which  they 
belonged  and  many  to  their  proper  regiments.  Without  doubt 
the  names  of  not  a few  were  inaccurately  established.  Lines 
of  granite  headstones,  of  a uniform  pattern  and  about  a foot  in 
height,  mark  the  heads  of  the  graves  in  the  circular  rows,  which 
are  broken  by  aisles  radiating  from  the  centre.  Upon  these 
headstones  are  inscribed  the  names  and  enrollments  so  far  as 
known.  The  following  is  the  list  of  Maine  men,  with  some 
corrections  of  headstone  inscriptions,  and  notes  of  errors  impos- 
sible to  correct : — 

THIRD  REGIMENT. 

Captain  John  C.  Keen,  Sergeant-Major  Henry  S.  Small,  Orderly  Ser- 
geant Eben  S.  Allen,  Sergeant  Nelson  W.  Jones,  Corporals:  Amos  H.  Cole, 
Eben  Farrington,  John  L.  Little.  Privates:  Calvin  H.  Burden,  John  W. 
Jones,  Alsbury  Luce,  Joseph  A.  Roach,  Allen  H.  Sprague.  One,  name 
unknown. 

FOURTH  REGIMENT. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  M.  Bragg.  Privates:  Crosby  R.  Brookings, 
Isaiah  V.  Eaton,  John  S.  Gray,  George  F.  Johnson,  Michael  Rariden,  John 
F.  Shuman. 

SEVENTH  REGIMENT. 

Corporal  Richard  Sculley,  Private  William  H.  Smith. 

SIXTEENTH  REGIMENT. 

Corporals:  Frank  Devereux,  George  D.  Marston.  Privates:  E.  Bishop, 
Frank  Fairbrother,  William  H.  Huntington,  Albion  B.  Mills,  Harrison 
Pullen.  Two,  names  unknown. 

SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT. 

Corporals:  Samuel  C.  Davis,  Austin  Hanson,  Bernard  Hogan,  George 
W.  Jones.  Privates:  William  H.  Day,  Samuel  L.  Dwelley,  Moses  D.  Emery, 
Samuel  O.  Hatch,  Ira  L.  Martin,  Fessenden  M.  Mills,  Monroe  Quint,  Royal 
Rand.  In  section  F a grave  marked  “ R.  Finch,  E,  17th  Inf.”  cannot  be 
ascribed  to  any  member  of  this  regiment. 

NINETEENTH  REGIMENT. 

Captain  George  D.  Smith,  1st  Sergeant  Thomas  T.  Rideout,  Sergeants: 
William  E.  Barrows,  Jesse  A.  Dorman,  Enoch  C.  Dow,  Alexander  W.  Lord, 
Chandler  F.  Perry.  Corporals:  Hollis  F.  Arnold,  Samuel  C.  Brookings, 
John  Merriam,  Robert  T.  Newell,  Alfred  P.  Waterman,  George  H.  Willey. 
Privates:  John  F.  Carey,  Charles  J.  Carroll,  Frank  Coffin,  Charles  W. 
Collins,  Abijah  Crosby,  Charles  E.  Harriman,  George  E.  Hodgdon,  Louira 
A.  Kelley,  William  H.  Low,  James  T.  Neal  (Heal?),  Reuel  Nickerson,  Lor- 
ing  C.  Oliver,  James  Robbins,  Samuel  B.  Shea,  Hushai  C.  Thomas.  Two, 
names  unknown. 

TWENTIETH  REGIMENT. 

Second  Lieutenant  Warren  L.  Kendall.  1st  Sergeants:  Isaac  N.  Lath- 
rop,  George  S.  Noyes,  Charles  W.  Steele.  Sergeant  William  S.  Jordan. 


584 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Corporals:  Melville  C.  Day,  William  S.  Hodgdon,  Joseph  D.  Simpson. 
Privates:  Frank  B.  Curtis,  Moses  Davis,  Elfin  J.  Foss,  Benjamin  W.  Grant, 
Goodwin  S.  Ireland,  Orrin  Walker.  Eleven,  names  unknown.  In  section 

F a grave  marked  “ Corp.  W.  K , 20th  Inf.”  cannot  be  ascribed  with 

certainty  to  any  member  of  this  regiment. 

FIFTH  BATTERY. 

Private  Sullivan  Luce. 

FIRST  CAVALRY. 

Private  Edward  Cunningham. 

In  section  G a grave  marked  “J.  Bartlett,”  and  another  in  section  C 
marked  “ ickels,  G,”  cannot  be  ascribed  to  any  Maine  troops  engaged. 

The  dedication  of  the  cemetery  took  place  Nov.  19,  1863, 
which  was  prior  to  the  erection  of  the  monument.  The  cere- 
monies were  appropriate  and  impressive.  On  that  occasion 
the  lamented  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States, 
standing  upon  the  spot  indicated  for  the  monument,  delivered 
his  immortal  dedicatory  address.  An  oration  by  Edward 
Everett  was  a part  in  the  exercises.  There  were  present  many 
representatives  from  the  army  and  navy,  cabinet  officials,  mem- 
bers of  Congress,  Ministers  of  France  and  Italy,  a French 
admiral  and  other  distinguished  foreigners  ; also  the  governors 
and  their  staffs  of  many  of  the  states  interested,  and  a concourse 
of  citizens  from  all  over  the  North. 

As  one  enters  the  gateway  to-day  from  the  Baltimore  pike 
he  notices  the  pillars  on  either  side  surmounted  by  eagles,  and 
beneath  them  the  inscriptions  of  the  names  of  those  states 
whose  soldiers  are  buried  within.  Just  inside  is  a life-size 
statue  of  General  Reynolds.  Turning  to  the  left  and  following 
the  driveway  under  the  bending  arches  of  foliage  a short  dis- 
tance, the  noble  monument  springs  into  view.  The  super- 
structure is  sixty  feet  in  height,  of  white  marble.  It  consists 
of  a massive  pedestal,  twenty- five  feet  square  at  the  base,  bear- 
ing aloft  a colossal  statue  to  represent  the  Genius  of  Liberty. 
She  stands  upon  a three-quarter  globe,  holding  in  her  right  hand 
the  victor’s  laurel  wreath,  and  on  her  left  arm  carries  our 
national  flag  shown  in  careless  folds. 

Projecting  from  the  angles  of  the  base  of  the  pedestal  are 
four  buttresses,  each  supporting  one  of  the  four  allegorical 
statues  representing  War,  History,  Peace  and  Plenty.  There 
are  panels  between  the  four  statues  for  suitable  inscriptions. 


Lincoln’s  dedication  address. 


585 


The  main  die  of  the  pedestal  is  octagonal  in  form,  panelled 
upon  each  face.  The  cornice  and  plinth  above  are  heavily 
moulded ; upon  this  plinth  rests  an  octagonal,  moulded  base 
bearing  upon  its  face,  in  high  relief,  the  national  arms.  The 
upper  die  and  cap  are  circular  in  form,  the  die  being  encircled 
by  stars  equal  in  number  with  those  states  whose  sons  contrib- 
uted their  lives  as  the  price  of  victory  won  at  Gettysburg.  On 
one  of  the  panels  the  visitor  will  find  the  words  of  Lincoln’s 
address  : — 

"Four  score  and  seven  years  ago  our  fathers  brought  forth 
on  this  continent,  a new  nation,  conceived  in  Liberty,  and 
dedicated  to  the  proposition  that  all  men  are  created  equal. 

"Now  we  are  engaged  in  a great  civil  war,  testing  whether 
that  nation,  or  any  nation  so  conceived  and  so  dedicated,  can 
long  endure.  We  are  met  on  a great  battlefield  of  that  war. 
We  have  come  to  dedicate  a portion  of  that  field,  as  a final 
resting  place  for  those  who  here  gave  their  lives  that  that 
nation  might  live.  It  is  altogether  fitting  and  proper  that  w*> 
should  do  this. 

" But,  in  a larger  sense,  we  can  not  dedicate  — we  can  not 
consecrate  — we  can  not  hallow  this  ground.  The  brave  men, 
living  and  dead,  who  struggled  here  have  consecrated  it,  far 
above  our  poor  power  to  add  or  detract.  The  world  will  little 
note,  nor  long  remember  what  we  say  here,  but  it  can  never 
forget  what  they  did  here.  It  is  for  us  the  living,  rather,  to 
be  dedicated  here  to  the  unfinished  work  which  fhey  who  fought 
here  have  thus  far  so  nobly  advanced.  It  is  rather  for  us  to 
be  here  dedicated  to  the  great  task  remaining  before  us, — that 
from  these  honored  dead  we  take  increased  devotion  to  that 
cause  for  which  they  gave  the  last  full  measure  of  devotion  — 
that  we  here  highly  resolve  that  these  dead  shall  not  have  died 
in  vain  — that  this  nation,  under  God,  shall  have  a new  birth 
of  freedom  — and  that  government  of  the  people,  by  the  people, 
for  the  people,  shall  not  perish  from  the  earth.” 


586 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


THE  MAINE  GETTYSBURG  COMMISSION  AND  ITS  WORK. 

BY  CHARLES  HAMLIN, 

CHAIRMAN  OF  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 

Y ery  soon  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  prominent  citizens 
of  the  burgh,  realizing  the  great  historical  value  it  would  occupy 
in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  organized  themselves  under  the 
name  of  the  Gettysburg  Battlefield  Memorial  Association,  and 
procured  a charter  from  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  under  which 
they  purchased  lands,  built  roads,  and  took  such  measures  as 
were  necessary  to  preserve  in  their  original  condition  the  grounds 
occupied  by  the  forces  of  both  armies  on  each  day  of  the  battle. 
Another  important  object  of  the  Association  was  to  erect  mon- 
uments upon  the  field  to  mark  the  positions  held  or  occupied 
by  our  troops.  The  State  of  Pennsylvania  having  a special 
interest  began  with  commendable  zeal  to  carry  out  these  pur- 
poses, and  with  generous  appropriations  of  upwards  of  $150,- 
000  constructed  and  erected  about  120  monuments  in  1887-8. 
Massachusetts  also  was  awake  and  erected  monuments  among 
the  first.  And  the  survivors  of  the  20th  Maine  erected  a fine 
monument  on  Little  Round  Top  in  1886. 

Agitation  of  the  project  of  having  monuments  to  Maine 
regiments  began  in  Maine  at  regimental  reunions  and  in  Grand 
Army  posts  in  the  summer  of  1886,  and  steps  were  taken  to 
bring  the  matter  before  the  next  legislature.  The  first  active 
movement  with  a well-matured  plan  was  initiated  by  the  writer, 
who  procured  the  introduction  of  a memorial  into  the  legis- 
lature, at  its  session  in  1887.  Others  followed.  A public 
hearing  before  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs  was  given 
January  27,  1887,  to  the  mover  of  the  memorial  and  the  other 
petitioners  in  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  at  which 


MAINE  GETTYSBURG  COMMISSION. 


587 


hearing  he  urged  a liberal  appropriation,  assisted  by  Major  G. 
T.  Stevens,  Gen.  Selden  Connor,  Gen.  C.  W.  Tilden,  Gen. 
C.  P.  Mattocks,  Gen.  Geo.  L.  Beal,  Col.  C.  B.  Merrill,  Col. 
Edward  Moore,  Col.  H.  R.  Millett,  Major  H.  S.  Melcher, 
Major  A.  R.  Small,  Major  W.  H.  Green,  Lieut.  H.  N.  Fair- 
banks, Capt.  P.  M.  Fogler,  Capt.  J.  M.  Webb  and  others. 
The  committee  made  a favorable  report,  and  a Resolve,  c.  29, 
approved  February  25,  1887,  granted  $2,500  for  the  purchase 
of  land  and  $12,500  for  the  erection  of  monuments.  The 
Resolve  provided  that  the  appropriation  should  be  expended 
under  the  direction  of  a Commission  of  sixteen  members, 
including’  the  Governor  and  also  one  member  of  each  regi- 
ment,  battery,  battalion,  company  or  staff  officer,  who  were 
present  at  the  battle,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Governor.  The 
expenses  of  the  Commission  were  fixed  at  $1,000,  and  the 
monuments  were  to  be  completed  and  erected  on  or  before 
November  1,  1890.  Col.  Edward  Moore  and  Major  W.  H. 
Green  of  the  17th  regiment,  also  Hon.  J.  W.  Wakefield 
Quartermaster  of  the  19th  regiment,  who  were  members  of  the 
legislature  at  that  and  subsequent  sessions,  gave  their  personal 
attention  and  influence  in  procuring  the  necessary  appropria- 
tions. Their  timely  and  forcible  speeches  were  efficient  with 
the  legislature. 

The  Commissioners  appointed,  and  their  successors,  are  as 
follows  : — 

LIST  OF  MAINE  GETTYSBURG  COMMISSIONERS. 

The  Governor  of  Maine  (ex  officio ) . 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Charles  Hamlin,  Vol.  Staff. 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  James  A.  Hall,  2d  Battery  (deceased) . 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Charles  W.  Tilden,  16th  Regiment. 

Brevet  Major  Greenlief  T.  Stevens,  5th  Battery. 

Col.  Moses  B.  Lakeman,  3d  Regiment. 

Col.  Elijah  Walker,  4th  Regiment. 

Lieut. -Col.  Charles  B.  Merrill,  17th  Regiment  (deceased). 

Capt.  Geo.  W.  Verrill  (to  succeed  Col.  Merrill),  17th  Regt. 

Brevet  Major-Gen.  Joshua  L.  Chamberlain,  20th  Regiment. 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Francis  E.  Heath,  19th  Regt.  (deceased). 

Capt.  Charles  E.  Nash  (to  succeed  Gen.  Heath)  19th  Regt. 


588 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


Brevet  Major  Edwin  B.  Dow,  6th  Battery. 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Clark  S.  Edwards,  5th  Regiment. 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Benjamin  F.  Harris,  6th  Regt.  (resigned) . 

Lt.-Col.  Alexander  B.  Sumner  (to  succeed  Gen.  Harris)  6th 
Regiment. 

Brig. -Gen.  Seldeu  Connor,  7th  Regiment  (resigned). 

Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  Thomas  W.  Hyde  (to  succeed  Gen. 
Connor),  7th  Regiment. 

Brevet  Major-Gen.  Charles  H.  Smith  1st  Cavalry  (resigned) . 

Maj.  Sidney  W.  Thaxter  (to  succeed  Gen.  Smith)  ,1st  Cav’y. 

Col.  Jacob  McClure,  Company  D,  2dU.  S.  S.  S.  (deceased). 

Lt.-Col.  John  D.  Beardsley,  10th  Battalion. 

In  May,  1887,  the  Commission,  excepting  Colonel  McClure, 
2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  and  Colonel  Beardsley,  10th  Maine 
Battalion,  met  at  Gettysburg  and  organized  by  the  choice  of 
Gov.  J.  R.  Bodwell  as  president  and  Gen.  B.  F.  Harris,  secre- 
tary. An  Executive  Committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Hamlin, 
Stevens,  Heath,  Merrill  and  Smith,  was  also  appointed  at  the 
same  meeting,  whose  duties  were  to  supervise  the  work  of  the 
Commission,  receive  designs,  etc.,  for  the  monuments,  contract 
for  their  construction  and  erection,  arrange  for  their  dedication, 
publish  a report  of  their  proceedings,  and,  in  general,  to  have 
charge  of  all  such  matters  pertaining  to  the  Commission  as  may 
be  done  by  an  Executive  Committee. 

The  Commission  then  proceeded,  with  a representative  of 
the  Gettysburg  Battlefield  Memorial  Association,  to  designate 
upon  the  field  and  agree  upon  the  location  of  monuments.  The 
Executive  Committee  were  further  instructed  to  take  charge  of 
the  location  of  the  monuments  of  such  commands  as  were  not 
represented  upon  the  field  by  their  Commissioners,  viz.  : 10th 
Maine  Battalion  and  Co.  D,  2d  U.  S.  Sharpshooters. 

The  Executive  Committee  was  organized  at  a meeting  held 
June  18,  1887,  at  the  Senate  Chamber  of  the  State  Capitol,  by 
the  selection  of  Messrs.  Hamlin  and  Stevens  as  chairman  and 
secretary  respectively.  Subsequently  Major  Stevens  was  also 
elected  treasurer  and  has  acted  as  such.  Gen.  C.  H.  Smith 
not  being  able  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Committee,  he 
being  Colonel  of  the  19th  Infantry  U.  S.  A.  and  absent  from 


MONUMENT  DESIGNS. 


589 


the  state,  sent  in  his  resignation.  This  vacancy  was  filled  by 
the  appointment  of  Maj.  Sidney  W.  Thaxter,  who  has  since 
served  with  the  Committee. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  issue  a circular  to  each  regi- 
ment, battalion  and  battery  association,  and  to  Co.  D,  2d  U.  S. 
Sharpshooters  to  furnish  the  Committee  with  designs  for  mon- 
uments. These  designs  were  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  chair- 
man, who  deposited  them  for  safe  keeping  with  Gen.  B.  F. 
Harris,  custodian  of  public  buildings,  at  the  State  House.  The 
designs  of  the  monuments  of  the  10th  Battalion  and  Co.  D,  2d 
U.  S.  Sharpshooters,  were  under  the  personal  supervision  of 
the  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee,  assisted  by  General 
Tilden  of  the  Hallowed  Granite  Works.  During-  this  and  the 
following  year  the  Committee  were  engaged  in  supervising 
the  designs  and  specifications  of  monuments ; procuring  the 
approval  of  the  legends,  inscriptions,  etc.,  by  the  Memorial 
Association ; procuring  designs  and  specifications  for  monu- 
ments where  none  were  furnished  or  were  insufficient  and  incom- 
plete ; and  contracting  for  their  construction  and  erection. 

At  its  meeting  February  22,  1888,  at  the  Council  Chamber 
in  the  State  House,  Augusta,  the  contract  for  the  construction, 
transportation  and  erection  of  the  monuments  was  awarded  to 
the  Hallowed  Granite  Works.  And  the  chairman  was  directed 
to  prepare  a suitable  petition  to  the  next  session  of  the  legis- 
lature for  an  increase  of  appropriation  necessary  to  complete 
the  contract,  defray  the  expenses  of  dedication,  also  furnish 
uniform  flanking  tablets  or  markers  for  such  commands  as 
might  request  them. 

Application  was  accordingly  made  to  the  legislature  at  its 
session  in  1889  by  the  chairman  of  the  Committee,  assisted 
by  Major  Stevens,  secretary,  and  an  additional  appropriation 
of  $10,000  was  granted  by  a Resolve,  c.  136,  approved  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1889. 

During  its  sessions  April  23, 1889,  at  the  Council  Chamber 
in  the  State  House,  the  Committee  voted  to  appropriate  $200 
in  aid  of  the  construction  of  the  High  Water  Mark  Monument, 
so  that  the  19th  Maine  regiment  should  have  a suitable  inscrip- 
tion thereon. 


590 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  chairman  was  empowered  to  appoint  committees  to 
arrange  for  the  dedication  exercises  at  Gettysburg.  The  fol- 
lowing appointments  were  made  : Committee  on  Transporta- 
tion, Major  Thaxter  and  General  Heath  ; Order  of  Exercises, 
Major  Stevens  and  Colonel  Merrill ; Invitations,  Governor 
Burleigh  and  General  Hamlin. 

The  sum  of  $240  was  appropriated  for  tablets  for  the  2d 
Maine  Battery,  and  the  3d,  16th  and  20th  regiments.  The 
secretary  and  Gen.  C.  W.  Tilden,  treasurer  of  the  Hallowed 
Granite  Works,  were  appointed  a committee  on  unfinished 
legends. 

It  was  voted  that  the  time  for  the  dedication  of  the  monu- 
ments be  fixed  on  October  3,  1889.  (See  exercises  of  dedica- 
tion, page  545  ante.)  General  J.  L.  Chamberlain  was  selected 
to  preside  as  President  of  the  day.  Gen.  Selden  Connor  was 
invited  to  accompany  the  Commission  and  deliver  an  oration 
at  the  dedication  exercises.  The  chairman  and  secretary,  at 
the  session  of  the  Committee,  September  21,  1889,  were 
requested  to  prepare  a report  of  the  Commission,  and  to  incor- 
porate in  it  photographs  of  the  monuments  and  such  other 
views  as  should  be  found  desirable.  In  1890  the  Committee 
held  a session  July  26th,  at  the  Falmouth  Hotel,  Portland,  to 
hear  and  consider  requests  of  different  officers  relating  to  inscrip- 
tions on  the  monuments  and  other  matters  they  desired  to  have 
appear  in  the  report  of  the  Committee,  viz.  : Col.  Edward 
Moore,  Col.  H.  R.  Millett ; Capts.  G.  E.  Brown  and  G.  W. 
Verrill ; Lieutenants  Hunt  and  Whittier. 

Voted  to  draw  an  order  of  $212  to  pay  for  a bronze  tablet 
on  the  monument  of  the  17th  Maine  regiment. 

At  the  session  of  the  legislature  in  1891  the  following- 
account  of  appropriations  and  expenditures  was  made  by  the 
chairman  and  secretary  of  the  committee  : — 

ACCOUNT  OF  APPROPRIATIONS  AND  EXPENDITURES. 

APPROPRIATIONS. 

1887.  Resolves  making  provisions  for  monu- 

ments, purchasing  land  and  improv- 
ing the  same  on  the  battlefield  of 
Gettysburg,  $15,000.00 

1889.  Maine  Gettysburg  Commission,  10,000.00  $25,000.00 


APPROPRIATIONS  AND  EXPENDITURES. 


591 


1887. 

EXPENDITURES. 

October  7. 

Treasurer  Gettysburg  Battlefield  Me- 

morial Association,  as  the  State’s 
donation  for  land, 

$2,500.00 

1888. 

December  29. 

Hallowell  Granite  Works, 

4,000.00 

December  29.  J.  R.  Bodwell,  for  expenses  of  Com- 

mission  to  Gettysburg  and  return, 
May,  1887, 

1,000.00 

1889. 

April  29. 

Hallowell  Granite  Works, 

6,000.00 

September  28. 

Hallowell  Granite  Works, 

5,000.00 

September  2. 

Charles  Hamlin,  Chairman  of  Executive 

Committee,  for  expenses  of  Commis- 
sion and  invited  guests  to  dedicate 
monuments,  October  3,  1889, 

2,000.00 

1890. 

January  2. 

Hallowell  Granite  Works, 

2,000.00 

March  26. 

Hallowell  Granite  Works, 

500.00 

1889. 

May  24. 

Traveling  expenses  of  Messrs.  Hamlin, 

Stevens,  Thaxter,  Heath  and  Merrill, 
Executive  Committee,  to  date, 

126.94 

1890. 

October  6. 

Tablet  for  17th  Regiment,  as  approved 

by  the  Gettysburg  Association, 

212.50 

October  6. 

Paid  for  clerk  hire, 

50.00 

December  31. 

Amount  not  drawn,  and  reverted  into 

treasury,  1,610.54  $25,000.00 

At  this  session  of  the  legislature  in  1891,  by  a Resolve, 
c.  125,  approved  April  3d,  the  sum  of  $5,000  was  granted  for 
the  following  purposes  : — 

$200.00  19th  Maine  Regiment  (High  Water  Mark  Monument). 

25.00  Change  of  flanking  stones  of  5th  Battery,  Seminary  Heights. 

150.00  Change  location  and  legend  of  monument  of  5th  Maine  Regiment. 

203.00  Balance  due  Hallowell  Granite  Works. 

300.00  17th  Maine  Regiment  tablet  or  monument  for  July  3d,  etc. 

150.00  Accrued  expenses  of  Executive  Committee. 

64.00  Photo,  negatives  of  monuments. 

3,600.00  Printing  and  binding  reports. 

308.00  Prospective  incidental  expenses  of  Executive  Committee. 

The  death  of  Col.  Charles  B.  Merrill,  April  5,  1891,  created 
a vacancy  in  the  Commission  and  Committee,  and  it  was  filled 
May  12,  1891,  by  the  appointment  of  Capt.  George  W.  Verrill, 
who  has  since  served  with  the  Committee. 

At  the  session  of  the  Committee  September  4, 1891,  among 


592 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


other  business  it  was  voted  to  draw  a warrant  of  $300  to  pay 
for  the  tablet  of  the  17th  Maine  regiment,  a design  for  the 
same  to  mark  its  position  on  the  third  day  having  been  submitted 
and  approved.  Each  member  of  the  Maine  Gettysburg  Com- 
mission was  requested  to  furnish  the  Committee  on  or  before 
December  1,  1891,  a report  of  what  they  desired  relating  to 
their  own  regiment,  batteiy,  etc.,  to  appear  in  the  Committee’s 
report.  The  secretary  was  directed  to  send  to  each  member 
of  the  Commission  a copy  of  the  material  relating  to  his  com- 
mand then  in  possession  of  the  secretary  prepared  by  Asher 
C.  Hinds  of  the  Portland  Press. 

The  secretary  furnished  the  materials  above  called  for,  but 
much  time  elapsed  in  procuring  responses  from  the  regimental 
and  battery  associations.  The  chairman  of  the  Committee 
made  repeated  calls  upon  those  interested  to  furnish  the  desired 
information,  but  failed  to  procure  it.  From  several  Commis- 
sioners he  failed  to  elicit  a reply.  This  fact  will  account  for 
the  reason  why  several  of  the  chapters  and  articles  in  Part  I. 
of  this  volume  have  been  prepared  by  persons  who  were  not 
members  of  the  regiment  or  battery  in  question ; and  the  delay 
in  part  in  finishing  the  report  of  the  Committee.  Other  Com- 
missioners, however,  have  earnestly  assisted  in  the  work.  In 
the  meantime  it  became  apparent  that  the  material  on  hand  was 
not  sufficient  to  make  a book  of  desirable  size  and  worthy  of 
publication  as  a suitable  report.  After  some  further  delay  and 
discussion  it  was  decided  to  incorporate  two  new  features  in 
the  book  that,  it  is  believed,  will  make  it  of  value  and  interest 
to  all  the  survivors  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  as  well  as  the 
families  and  friends  of  all  who  fell  upon  that  field.  These  new 
features  are,  first,  a list  of  men  and  officers  who  participated 
in  the  battle,  with  a list  of  casualties ; and  second,  a historical 
sketch  of  each  regiment,  battalion,  battery  or  other  Maine 
organization  that  served  in  the  Gettysburg  campaign. 

The  committee  are  indebted  to  Capt.  C.  E.  Nash  for 
susfffestinff  some  of  these  new  features.  He  has  since  been 
appointed  a member  of  the  Commission  in  place  of  Genl.  F.  E. 
Heath,  whose  death  occurred  December  20,  1897. 

The  lists  of  participants  and  casualties,  excepting  those  of 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  WORK. 


593 


the  4th,  16th  and  17th  regiments,  were  prepared  primarily  by 
Maj.  Charles  J.  House,  of  Augusta.  The  data  from  which 
these  lists  were  made  are  in  the  office  of  the  Adjutant-General 
of  Maine,  the  best  records  available  after  all  access  to  the  rolls 
and  records  of  the  War  Department,  at  Washington,  was  found 
on  application  to  be  beyond  our  power.  While  some  errors 
will  doubtless  be  found  in  these  lists  of  names,  it  is  believed 
they  are  as  accurate  as  research  and  personal  inquiry,  after  the 
lapse  of  so  many  years,  can  make  them.  Any  one  discovering 
errors  in  these  lists,  which  are  liable  to  occur,  especially  in 
initials,  owing  to  disparities  in  the  records,  is  requested  to 
notify  the  Executive  Committee  at  once.  Some  use  has  been 
made  of  the  Volunteer  Army  Register  issued  August  31,  1865, 
by  the  War  Department,  in  preparing  the  rosters  at  the  close 
of  the  historical  sketches.  But  that  compilation  has  been  found 
to  be  unreliable,  and  the  editors  of  this  volume  have  endeavored 
to  verify  and  correct  from  other  sources  whatever  errors  they 
have  found  in  it. 

In  1893,  at  the  session  of  the  legislature  for  that  year,  by 
a Resolve,  c.  217,  approved  March  28,  $200  was  granted  to 
Dow’s  6th  Maine  battery,  and  $150  to  Co.  D,  2d  U.  S.  Sharp- 
shooters, that  they  might  have  a proper  place  and  suitable 
inscription  on  the  High  Water  Mark  Monument.  The  descrip- 
tion of  that  monument  given  on  page  537  ante  shows  how  the 
appropriations  have  been  applied. 

In  1894  the  Committee  be°:an  to  arrange  some  of  the  details 
of  publication  of  its  report,  including  the  half-tone  illustrations 
of  the  monuments.  In  expectation  of  receiving  the  materials 
from  the  Commissioners,  already  alluded  to,  the  chairman  was 
authorized  to  arrange  the  material  for  publication  and  to  employ 
necessary  assistance.  Major  Stevens  and  Captain  Verrill  were 
appointed  a committee  on  illustrations,  binding,  etc. 

In  1895  no  further  application  for  money  was  made  to  the 
legislature,  and  the  Committee  held  only  two  sessions.  At  the 
meeting  held  August  14,  1895,  at  the  office  of  Captain  Verrill 
in  Portland,  Major  Stevens  submitted  his  report  as  treasurer. 
Captain  Verrill  was  authorized  to  procure  plate  and  proofs  of 
a design  for  maps.  The  chairman  reported  upon  the  progress 


594 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


made  in  procuring  lists  of  participants  and  casualties.  At  a 
later  meeting  held  at  the  Bangor  House,  December  4,  1895, 
further  progress  was  made  relative  to  the  map  of  the  first  day 
by  Captain  Verrill ; particularly  as  to  showing  the  locations  of 
the  16th  Maine  regiment. 

In  1896  the  Committee  held  two  meetings  at  which  the  maps 
as  prepared  by  Captain  Verrill,  being  the  first,  second  and  third 
days  of  the  battle  and  in  colors,  also  one  of  the  cavalry  battle, 
and  diagrams  showing  the  positions  of  the  3d,  4th,  17th  and 
20th  regiments  on  the  second  day  of  the  battle  were  approved 
and  adopted.  Historical  sketches  of  1st  cavalry,  by  Lieutenant 
Tobie,  and  5th  Maine  battery,  by  Major  Stevens,  were  read 
and  adopted,  to  be  printed  subject  to  the  supervision  of  the 
Committee.  Captain  Verrill  was  also  appointed  co-editor  with 
the  chairman,  and  he  was  authorized  to  negotiate  and  make  a 
contract  with  The  Lakeside  Press  for  printing  and  binding. 

In  1897  the  Committee  held  three  sessions  at  the  Court 
House  in  Augusta,  and  devoted  their  time  to  reading  and 
examining  the  various  papers  submitted  by  the  Commissioners 
of  regiments,  batteries,  battalions,  etc.  After  such  changes, 
corrections,  etc.,  as  were  needful,  the  papers  were  deposited 
with  the  chairman  to  be  edited  by  him  and  his  associate,  Cap- 
tain Verrill. 

The  chairman  was  requested  to  apply  to  the  Commissioners 
of  the  Gettysburg  National  Park,  successors  to  the  Memorial 
Association,  for  authority  to  erect  tablets  to  mark  the  positions 
of  the  3d  and  4th  Maine  regiments  in  support  of  the  2d  corps 
during  Longstreet’s  assault,  July  3d.  Also  to  apply  to  the 
legislature  for  an  appropriation  for  the  same  and  any  other 
money  needed  for  the  purposes  of  the  Commission.  Designs 
by  Colonels  Lakeman  and  Walker  for  these  tablets  were 
submitted  by  the  Hallowed  Granite  Works  and  approved.  A 
contract  for  their  construction  and  erection  was  awarded  that 
company  after  an  appropriation  had  been  granted  as  stated 
below  and  authority  for  the  location  obtained  from  the  Park 
Commissioners . 

The  legislature  at  its  session  in  1897,  on  the  application  of 
the  chairman  and  secretary,  granted  an  appropriation  of  $200 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  WORK. 


595 


each  for  tablets  for  the  3d  and  4th  Maine,  as  requested.  See 
c.  139  and  c.  140,  Resolves  of  1897. 

And  on  their  application,  by  Resolve,  c.  232,  approved 
March  25,  1897,  a further  appropriation  of  $750  was  granted 
for  completing  the  work  of  the  Commission,  $400  being  for 
incidental  expenses  incurred  by  the  Committee,  and  $350 
towards  an  additional  1,000  copies  of  the  report. 

It  should  be  stated  here  that  the  estimate  in  1897  of  the 
cost  of  an  edition  of  3,000  volumes,  proposed  to  lie  published, 
was  based  upon  a book  containing  about  500  pages.  The  two 
appropriations  granted  accordingly  would  have  been  sufficient, 
it  is  believed,  for  the  purpose ; but  the  volume  will  contain 
over  600  pages  besides  two  additional  illustrations,  — the  tab- 
lets of  the  3d  and  4th  regiments.  Hence,  by  reason  of  the 
increased  cost  of  the  volume,  the  funds  available  are  not  suffi- 
cient to  bind  the  entire  edition  of  3,000  copies  in  leather  as 
contemplated.  A portion  of  the  edition  has  therefore  been 
placed  in  paper  covers,  part  of  which  going  to  the  Commis- 
sioners and  part  to  the  State  Library. 

The  appropriations  for  expenses  of  the  Commission  being 
exhausted,  the  transportation  of  the  books  falls  upon  those 
receiving  them. 

In  September,  1897,  the  Executive  Committee  met  the 
Commissioners  of  the  National  Park  and  agreed  upon  the  loca- 
tion of  the  tablets  of  the  3d  and  4th  Maine  regiments.  A 
hearing  was  granted  upon  request  of  Colonel  Walker  of  the 
4th  Maine  to  change  the  location  of  the  flanking  stones  of  that 
regiment.  These  stones  have  since  been  relocated  as  requested 
by  Colonel  Walker.  They  also  made  an  inspection  of  all  the 
Maine  monuments  and  found  them  in  good  condition  except 
the  4th  Maine,  which  standing  in  a depression  on  a large  bowl- 
der at  Devil’s  Den  was  endangered  by  snow  and  water  lodging 
under  the  base  of  the  shaft.  This  has  been  corrected  by  cut- 
ting a channel  in  the  top  of  the  bowlder  that  permits  the  water 
to  escape.  The  diamond  badges  in  the  sides  of  the  shaft  of 
this  monument  were  found  to  have  been  fastened  with  gypsum 
and  had  become  loose  and  were  in  danger  of  falling  out.  They 
have  been  reset  and  fastened  with  cement. 


596 


MAINE  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


The  only  matter  remaining  undisposed  of  by  the  U.  S. 
Park  Commissioners  is  an  application  made  by  the  17th  Maine 
Association  through  this  committee  for  a change  in  the  course 
of  Sickles’  Avenue,  or  a branch  of  the  same,  in  the  Wheatfield 
to  delineate  the  line  of  battle  held  by  this  regiment ; if  favor- 
ably acted  upon,  this  will  probably  be  followed  by  a request 
for  the  placing  of  a suitable  marker  to  show  an  important 
position  held  by  the  17th  on  that  ground. 

In  closing  this  report  it  is  proper  to  state  that  no  member 
of  the  Commission  or  of  the  Executive  Committee  has  received 
any  pecuniary  compensation  for  the  labor  and  time  spent  in 
the  work  of  the  Commission.  After  the  monuments  were 
erected  and  dedicated  the  principal  duties  of  the  Commissioners 
were  accomplished ; but  those  of  the  Executive  Committee,  as 
will  be  seen,  have  remained  unfinished.  The  collecting  of  the 
data  necessary  to  a full  report  made  in  the  manner  adopted  has 
required  more  time  than  was  anticipated,  but  the  result  justifies, 
it  is  believed,  the  delay  and  expense.  Each  legislature  that 
has  appropriated  money  in  aid  of  the  Commission  has  approved 
the  method  adopted  in  bringing  together  the  materials  of  the 
report ; and  the  plan  of  the  book  has  had  the  commendation 
of  the  Military  Committees. 

The  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  desires  to  express 
the  high  sense  of  obligation  he  is  under  to  his  associates,  espe- 
cially to  Maj.  G.  T.  Stevens,  the  secretary  and  treasurer;  also 
to  the  assistant  editor,  Capt.  G.  W.  Verrill,  for  preparing  the 
four  maps  in  colors,  diagrams  to  show  the  changes  in  location 
of  regiments  during  the  three  days  of  the  battle,  revising  lists 
of  men  and  officers  present,  the  casualties  and  the  officers’ 
rosters,  besides  editing,  arranging  and  preparing  papers  for 
the  Committee  and  the  printer,  and  in  connection  with  proof- 
reading and  other  work.  In  reproducing  an  account  of  the 
battle  on  the  second  day  along  the  front  of  the  1st  division 
(Birney)  of  the  3d  corps,  his  intimate  knowledge  and  study  of 
the  movements  of  both  armies  have  added  to  its  historic  value. 


INDEX 


Addresses  and  Orations. 

Burleigh,  Edwin  C.— Dedication  561 

Chamberlain,  Joshua  L. — 16th  Maine  63—,  Dedication  646 

Connor,  Selden,— Oration,  Dedication  564 

Edwards,  Clark  S.— Regimental  dedication  373 

Hamlin,  Charles— Dedication  560 

Hobson,  William, — Oration,  regimental  dedication  217 

Krautli,  John  M. — Receiving  Maine  monuments  562 

Lincoln,  Abraham,— Dedication  of  Soldiers  Cemetery  585 

Moore,  Edward, — Regimental  dedication  211 

Smith,  Charles  H.— Regimental  dedication  481 

Walker,  Elijah,— Regimental  dedication  176 

Appropriations  by  Maine. 

For  monuments,  markers,  etc.,  at  Gettysburg  587,  589-591,  593-595 

For  Soldiers  National  Cemetery  and  Monument  at  Gettysburg  582 

Authors,  Authorities.  See  Contributors. 

Table  of  Contents  VII 


Badges,  distinguishing  troops  151 

Battle  of  Gettysburg— (Also  see  Gettysburg)  l 

Battles,  lists  of— See  the  organizations  under  Gettysburg. 

Batteries,  Hall’s,  Stevens’,  and  Dow’s— (See  Gettysburg)  14,  80,  325 

Fourth  Maine  mentioned  241,  336 

Seventh  Maine  mentioned  125 


Casualties— See  Maine  organizations  under  Gettysburg. 

At  Gettysburg,  Summary  of  Maine  542 

Cavalry  Field  470 

Cemetery,  Soldiers  National  at  Gettysburg  582 

Cemetery  Hill  7,  89 

Chambersburg  Pike  16 

Commissioners,  Maine  Gettysburg  HI,  587 

History  and  work  of  586 

Committee,  Executive,  Maine  Gettysburg  Commission  III,  588 

Summary  of  its  work  586 

Contents,  table  of  VII 

Contracts,  for  monuments  and  markers  589  , 594 

For  printing  and  binding  Report  594 

Contributors — Original  matter  for  this  publication 

See  also  table  of  Contents  VII 

Beardsley,  John  D.  519,  523 

Belcher,  S.  Clifford  41 

Bragdon,  Edward  P.  M.  526 

Chamberlain,  Joshua  L.  63’  2G0 

Clark,  Charles  A.  397,  414 

Cole,  Henry  F.  522 

Connor,  Selden  438 

Edwards,  Clark  S.  373 

Gould,  John  M.  518,  531 

Hall,  James  A.  15-23 

Hamlin,  Charles  R 2G>  334,  405,  586 

Hinds,  Asher  C.  592 

House,  Charles  J.  593 


598 


Hunt,  Charles  O. 

Johnson,  Hannibal  A. 

Lakeman,  Moses  B. 

Miller,  Samuel  L.— quotation 
Pratt,  Gustavus  C.— foot-note 
Prince,  Howard  L.— quotation,  foot-note 
Small,  Abner  R. 

Stevens,  Greenlief  T. 

Tarr,  James  F. 

Tildeu,  Charles  W. 

Tilden,  C.  K. 

Tohie,  Edward  P. 

Twitchell,  Adelbert  B. 

Verrill,  George  W. 

Walker,  Elijah 
Whitmore  George  L. 

Whittier,  Edward  N. 

Wiggin,  Francis 
Copse  of  Trees 
Culp’s  Hill 

Dedication  of  Maine  Monuments. 

(See  regimental  dedications  under  Gettysburg.) 


Order  of  the  day  and  exercises  545 

Address  by  Gen.  J.  L.  Chamberlain  546 

Prayer  by  Rev.  Theodore  Gerrisli  559 

Address  by  Gen.  Charles  Hamlin  560 

Address  by  Governor  Edwin  C.  Burleigh  561 

Address  by  Major  J.  M.  Krauth  562 

Oration  by  Gen.  Selden  Connor  564 

Prayer  and  Benediction  by  Rev.  G.  R.  Palmer  580 

Devil’s  Den  160,  194,  251 

Dow’s  Battery— Also  see  Gettysburg  325 


114 

128 

128-135 

259 

197 

258 

46 

82-92,  103 
522 
42 
45 
487 
29 

193,  194,  197,  223,  582 
164,  176,  186 
292 
92 
66 

313,  538 
7,  89 


Editors  594 

Executive  Committee  of  Maine  Commissioners  III,  588 

Expenditures  591,  595 

Generals,  Maine  540 

Gettysburg. 

Battle  of  1 

Maine  artillery,  infantry  and  cavalry  in  battle  of,  in  numerical  order: 


Second  (Hall’s)  Battery 

Monument  and  marker 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists 
Historical  Sketch 
Roster  of  Officers 
Mentioned 


14,  21 
15-25 
26 
35 

4,  6,  13,  82,  104,  151,  590 


Battles! and  skirmishes  27:  Cross  Keys  27,  Cedar  Mountain  28,  Rappahannock , 
Thoroughfare  Gap  28,  Second  Bull  Run , Chantilly  29,  Fredericksburg  30,  Chan- 
cellorsville  32,  Gettysburg  15,  32,  Wilderness , Spotsylvania  33,  North  Anna  27, 
Bethesda  Church,  Cold  Harbor  34,  Petersburg  34. 

Fifth  (Stevens’)  Battery 

Monument  and  marker 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists 
Historical  Sketch 
Roster  of  Officers 
Mentioned 


80,  86,  95 
82-103 
103 
124 

4,  7,  11,  13,  29,  65,  290,  570,  574 


Battles  and  skirmishes : Rappahannock  103,  Thoroughfare  Gap  104,  Second  Bull 
Run  29,  104,  Fredericksburg  105,  Chancellor sville  107,  Gettysburg  82,  Wilderness, 
Spotsylvania,  North  Anna  ill,  Cold  Harbor  112,  Petersburg  114,  Opequan  117, 
Fisher’s  Hill  120,  Cedar  Creek  121. 


599 


Sixth  (Dow’s)  Battery 


Monument  325, 334 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists  326-334 

Historical  Sketch  334 

Roster  of  Officers  346 

Mentioned  5, 10,  13,  290,  573,  593 


Battles  and  skirmishes:  Cedar  Mountain  336,  Rappahannock  Station,  Sulphur 
Springs,  Blackburn’s  Ford  336,  Second  Bull  Run  336,  Chantilly  337,  Antietam  338, 
Gettysburg  326,  340,  Mine  Run  341,  Wilderness  342,  Spotsylvania  343,  North  Anna, 
Cold  Harbor  344,  Petersburg  344,  346,  Deep  Bottom  345. 


Third  (Lakeman’s)  Regiment 


Monument  and  marker  126, 129, 132 

Diagram  showing  position  197 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists  127-145 

Itinerary,  Gettysburg  campaign  135 

Historical  Sketch  145 

Roster  of  Officers  156 


Mentioned  4,  9,  10,  13,  167,  178,  194,  197,  236,  238,  290,  571,  590,  594 

Battles  and  skirmishes:  Bull  Run  147,  Yorktown  148,  Williamsburg,  Fair  Oaks, 
Seven  Pines  148,  White  Oak  Swamp , Charles  City  Cross  Roads,  Malvern  Hill  149, 
Second  Bull  Run  149,  Chantilly  150,  Mouth  of  Monocacy  150,  Fredericksburg  151, 
Cedars,  Chancellor sville  152,  Gettysburg  127, 153,  Wapping  Heights  153,  Auburn, 
Kelly’s  Ford,  Locust  {or  Orange)  Grove,  Mine  Run  154,  Wilderness  154,  Spotsyl- 
variia,  Fredericksburg  Road,  North  Anna,  Totopotomy,  Cold  Harbor  155. 


Fourth  (Walker’s)  Regiment 

Monument  and  marker  158,  167,  176 

Diagrams  showing  positions  194,  251 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists  159-176 

Dedication  of  monument,  address  of  Colonel  Walker  176 

Historical  Sketch  176,  186 

Roster  of  Officers  188 


Mentioned  4,  9,  10,  13,  127,  147,  148,  153,  218,  232,  234,  235,  252,  290,  351,  571,  593,  594,  595 
Battles  and  skirmishes:  Bull  Run  177,  Yorktown  177,  Williamsburg,  Seven  Pines, 
Fair  Oaks,  White  Oak  Swamp,  Glendale  177,  Malvern  Hill  178,  Second  Bull  Run, 
Chantilly  178,  Mouth  of  Monocacy  178,  Fredericksburg  179,  Cedars,  Chancellors- 
ville  179,  Gettysburg  159,  179,  Wapping  Heights  153,  183,  Auburn,  Kelly’s  Ford, 
Locust  {or  Orange)  Grove,  Mine  Run  183,  Wilderness,  Po  River  183,  Spotsylvania 
185,  Fredericksburg  Road  237,  North  Anna,  Totopotomy,  Cold  Harbor  185. 


Fifth  (Edwards’)  Regiment 

Monument 

Engagement,  Participants  list 

Dedication  of  monument 

Address  of  Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Edwards 

Poem  of  Helen  S.  Packard 

Historical  Sketch 

Roster  of  Officers 

Mentioned 


364 
365-373 
373 
373 
385 
373,  390 
393 

4,  12,  13,  112,  236,  421,  463,  576 


Battles  and  skirmishes : Bull  Run  374,  West  Point  375,  Chickahominy  375,  Gaines’ 
Mill,  Golding’s  Farm,  Charles  City  Cross  Roads,  Malvern  Hill  375,  Crampton’s 
Gap,  Antietam  376,  Fredericksburg,  Second  Fredericksburg,  Salem  Church  or 
Chancellor  sville  377,  Gettysburg  365,  378,  Funkstown,  Williamsport  379,  Rappahan- 
nock Station  379,  Locust  Grove,  Mine  Run  380,  Wilderness,  381,  Spotsylvania 
381-383,  North  Anna,  Cold  Harbor  383,  Petersburg  383. 


Sixth  (Burnham’s)  Regiment 


Monument  395 

Engagement,  Participants  list  396-405 

Historical  Sketch  405 

Roster  of  Officers  427 


600 


Mentioned  4,  13,  231,  236,  380,  381,  443,  463,  576 

Battles  and  skirmishes:  Yorktown,  Lee’s  Mills  408,  Williamsburg  408,  Garnett’s 
Farm  408,  Savage  Station  410,  White  Oak  Bridge  411,  Crampton’s  Gap,  Antietam 
413,  Fredericksburg  413,  Marge’s  Heights  414,  Salem  Church,  Brooks’  Ford  416, 
Gettysburg  396,  418,  Funkstown,  Williamsport  418,  Rappahannock  Station  419, 
Locust  Grove,  Mine  Run  426,  Wilderness,  Spotsylvania  427,  Cold  Harbor  427, 
Petersburg  427. 

Seventh  (Connor’s)  Regiment 


Monument  430 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists  431-438 

Historical  Sketch  438 

Roster  of  Officers  466 

Mentioned  4,  10,  13,  236,  575 


Battles  and  skirmishes:  Yorktown  442,  Williamsburg  443,  Mechanicsville  445, 
Gaines’  Mill  446,  White  Oak  Swamp  447,  Crampton’s  Pass,  Antietam  449,  Second 
Fredericksburg  or  Marye’s  Heights  453,  Banks’  Ford  455,  Gettysburg  431,  456, 
Brandy  Station  458,  Locust  Grove,  Mine  Run  458,  Wilderness  459,  Spotsylvania 
460,  Cold  Harbor  461,  Petersburg  461,  Fort  Stevens  462,  Opequon  Creek  463,  Fisher’s 
Hill  463.  First  Veteran  battles : Cedar  Creek  464,  Petersburg  464,  Appomattox  465- 


Tenth  Maine  (Beardsley’s)  Battalion 


Monument  517 

Engagement,  Participants  list  518-530 

Historical  Sketch  (including  1st,  10th,  29th  regts.)  531 

Roster  of  Officers  of  10th  regiment  535 

Mentioned  4,  13,  589 


Battles  and  skirmishes  (includes  1st,  10th,  29th  regts.) : Winchester  532,  Cedar 
Mountain  533,  Antietam  533,  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  Pleasant  Hill,  Cane  River  Cross 
ing  534,  Opequon  Creek,  Fisher’s  Hill,  Cedar  Creek  534. 


Sixteenth  (Tilden’s)  Regiment 

Monument  and  marker 
Diagram  of  positions 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists 

Historical  Sketch 

Roster  of  Officers 

Address  of  Gen.  Chamberlain 


37,  42,  44 
45 
38-62 
66 
76 
63 


Mentioned  4,  6, 13,  15,  82,  236,  285,  570,  590,  593 

Battles  and  skirmishes : Fredericksburg  69,  Chancellorsville  71,  Gettysburg  38,  71, 
Mine  Run  72,  Wilderness,  Spotsylvania,  North  Anna  73,  Totopotomy,  Bethesda 
Church  73,  Petersburg,  Weldon  Railroad,  73,  74,  Hatcher’s  Run  74,  White  Oak 
Road,  Five  Forks  74,  Appomattox  75. 


Seventeenth  (Merrill’s)  Regiment 
Monument  and  marker 
Diagrams  of  positions 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists 

Dedication  of  monument 

Prayer  of  Rev.  C.  G.  Holyoke 

Address  of  Brevet  Lieut.-Col.  Moore 

Poem  of  Captain  Verrill 

Oration  of  Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Hobson 

Historical  Sketch 

Roster  of  Officers 


190,  191,  193,  200 
194,  197 
192-210 
210 
210 
211 
215 
217 
223 
246 


Mentioned  4,  9,  13,  162,  176,  184,  290,  362,  571,  590,  592,  596 

Battles  and  skirmishes:  Fredericksburg  227,  The  Cedars,  Chancellorsville  228, 
Gettysburg  192,  229,  Wapping  Heights,  Auburn  230,  Kelly’s  Ford,  Locust  Grove , 
Mine  Run  231,  Wilderness  233,  Po  River,  Spotsylvania,  "Salient  ” 235,  Fredericks- 
burg Road,  North  Anna,  Totopotomy  237,  Cold  Harbor  238,  Petersburg  Assaults 
238,  Jerusalem  Road  239,  Deep  Bottom  240,  Peebles’  Farm,  Fort  Hell  241,  Boydton 
Road  241,  Infantry  Raid  242,  Hatcher’s  Run  242,  Fall  of  Petersburg  244,  Deatons- 
ville,  Sailor  Creek  244,  Farmville,  Appomattox  245. 


601 


Nineteenth  (Heath’s)  Regiment 


Monument 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists 
Historical  Sketch 
Roster  of  Officers 
Mentioned 


289,  295 
290-310 
310 
322 

4,  12,  13,  185,  236,  330,  573,  576,  589 


Battles  and  skirmishes  321 : Fredericksburg  312,  Chaucellorsville  313,  Gettysburg 
290,  313,  Bristoe  Station  314,  Mine  Run  315,  Wilderness  315,  Spotsylvania  315,  North 
Anna,  Totopotomy  315,  Cold  Harbor  316,  Petersburg,  Deep  Bottom,  Strawberry 
Plains  316,  Reams'  Station  318,  Boydton  Road  319,  Hatcher's  Run  320,  Fall  of 
Petersburg,  High  Bridge  321,  Farmville,  Appomattox  322. 


Twentieth  (Chamberlain’s)  Regiment 

Monuments 
Diagram  of  positions 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists 
Historical  Sketch 
The  Last  Act 
Roster  of  Officers 


249,  250 
251 
252-272 
273 
286 
287 


Mentioned  4,  10,  13,  164,  246,  290,  420,  422,  572,  590 

Battles  and  skirmishes:  Antietam  274,  Shepherdstown  Ford  275,  Fredericksburg 
275,  Chaucellorsville,  Middleburg  276,  Gettysburg  252,  276,  Shaipsburg  Pike  278, 
Rappahannock  Station  278,  Mine  Ran  279,  Wilderness  279,  Spotsylvania  280,  North 
Anna,  Bethesda  Church,  Cold  Harbor  281,  Petersburg,  Jerusalem  Road,  Weldon 
Railroad,  Peebles’  Farm  281,  Infantry  Raid,  Hatcher’s  Run,  Quaker  Road,  Grav- 
elly Run,  Five  Forks  282,  Appomattox  Court  House  283. 


First  (Smith’s)  Cavalry  Regiment 


Monument  469, 481 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists  470-481 

Dedication  of  monument  481 

Address  of  Brevet  Maj.-Gen.  Smith  481 

Poem  of  Lieut.  Tobie  486 

Historical  Sketch  487 

Roster  of  Officers  514 

Mentioned  4, 13,  576 


Battles  and  skirmishes:  Middletown,  Winchester,  Cedar  Mountain  490,  Second 
Bull  Run,  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg  491,  Stoneman's  Raid  491, 
Rappahannock  Station,  Brandy  Station,  Aldie,  Middleburg , Upperville  492-497. 
Gettysburg  470,  497,  Shepardstown,  Sulphur  Springs  498,  Mine  Run  499,  Dahlgren 
Raid,  Old  Church,  Todd’s  Tavern  500,  Beaver  Dam,  Ground  Squirrel  Church 
Bridge  501,  Fortifications  of  Richmond  502,  Hawes’  Shop,  Cold  Harbor,  Trevillian 
Station  503,  St.  Mary’s  Church  504,  Deep  Bottom  505,  Reams’  Station  506,  Wyatt’s 
Farm  507,  Boydton  Road  508,  Bellefield,  Hatcher’s  Run,  Dinwiddie  Court  House 
509,  Deatonsville  511,  Sailor’s  Creek,  High  Bridge,  Farmville  512,  Appomattox 
Court  House  513. 


Company  D,  Second  U.  S.  Sharpshooters 

Monument 

Engagement,  Participants  and  Casualties  lists 
Historical  Sketch 
Roster  of  Officers 


348 

349-353 

354 

362 


Mentioned  10,  13,  160,  162,  255,  258,  589,  593 

Battles  and  skirmishes : Rappahannock  Station  356,  Sulphur  Springs,  Gainesville 
or  Grovetom51,  Second  Bull  Run,  South  Mountain,  Antietam  358,  Fredericksburg 
359,  The  Cedars,  Chaucellorsville  359,  Gettysburg  349,  360,  Wapping  Heights, 
Auburn,  Kelly’s  Ford,  Locust  Grove,  Mine  Run,  Wilderness,  Po  River,  Spotsyl- 
vania, Fredericksburg  Pike,  North  Anna,  Totopotomy , Cold  Harbor,  P etersburg, 
Jerusalem  Road,  Deep  Bottom , Peebles’  Farm,  Boydton  Road,  Hatcher’ s Run  361, 

Maine  Generals,  Staff  and  other  additional  Officers,  at  battle  540 

Summaries  of  Maine  Participants  and  Casualties  542 

Dedication  of  Maine  monuments  by  Maine  545 


602 


Hall’s  Battery — Also  see  Gettysburg 

14 

High  Water  Mark  Monument 

637 

Illustrations— See  Maps,  also  Monuments 

Lincoln’s  Address 

685 

Losses  at  Gettysburg,  Maine  troops 

642 

Maine  Dead,  buried  at  Gettysburg 

683 

Maine  Gettysburg  Commission 

III,  587 

Its  History  and  Work 

Maine  Troops,  at  Gettysburg 

(See  Regiments  and  Batteries  under  Gettysburg) 

686 

Additional  participating  Officers 

640 

Summaries  of  Participants  and  Casualties 

542 

Maps  of  the  Battle  G,  8, 

11,  12,  45,  194,  197,  251 

Militia  Companies  mentioned 

Monuments  and  Markers. 

(See  the  Maine  organizations  given  under  Gettysburg) 

145,  354,  531,  533 

High  Water  Mark  Monument 

537 

National  Cemetery  Monument 

Frontispiece 

General  dedication  by  Maine,  and  transfer  ceremonies 

545 

Officers,  Maine,  additional  to  Maine  organizations 

Orations— See  Addresses  and 

640 

Participants— See  Maine  organizations  under  Gettysburg 

Additional  participating  Officers 

640 

Summary  of  Maine 

642 

Peach  Orchard 

131 

Pickett’s  Charge 

295,  538 

Plum  Run 

Poems  at  Dedications. 

160 

Packard,  Helen  S. 

385 

Tobie,  Edward  P. 

486 

Verrill,  George  W. 

215 

Powers’  Hill 

Prayers  at  Dedications. 

456,  520,  575 

Gerrish,  Theodore 

559 

Holyoke,  Charles  G. 

210 

Palmer,  G.  R. 

580 

Preface 

V 

Regiments— See  Gettysburg  for  those  at  that  battle 

1st  Maine  Heavy  Artillery  mentioned 

237,  239,  240,  246,  362 

1st  Maine  Sharpshooters  battalion  mentioned 

285,  286,  363 

1st  Maine  Veterans  mentioned 

392,  427,  464,  466 

1st  D.  C.  Cavalry  Maine  companies  mentioned 

488,  507 

2d  Maine  (infantry)  mentioned 

252 

10th  Maine  mentioned 

224 

llth  Maine  mentioned 

354 

31st  Maine  mentioned 

236 

32d  Maine  mentioned 

236,  241,  541 

Rock  Creek 

575 

Round  Tops,  Little  and  Big 

251,  254,  259 

Seminary  Heights 

46,  83 

Staff  Officers 

640 

Stevens’  Knoll 

571 

Stevens’  Battery— Also  see  Gettysburg 

80 

Summaries  of  Participants  and  Casualties 

542 

“Valley  of  Death” 

182 

Wheatfield 

192,  194,  197,  251 

